The first push of the baby in the womb is the most important moment that parents are waiting for. After all, until the first timid pushes, a pregnant woman may not even feel that she is carrying a crumb under her heart - and so I want to feel the baby's “answer” that he is there, he is growing and gaining strength by the time of birth. Consider in the article how long the child begins to move, how to recognize the first pushes of the baby, and is it true that girls, before boys, make themselves felt by movements.
The first stir - for how long does the baby know about himself
The moment when the baby should start to move is about 8-9 weeks of pregnancy. In a growing fetus, the first bundles of muscles are formed, nerve endings appear actively, which contributes to the development of motor activity.
- For periods up to 12-16 weeks, it is too early for the expectant mother to feel the baby's movements. Most of the uterus is occupied by amniotic fluid, which softens the first touches of its walls. The fetus is so small that movements in the stomach are not felt at all - they are mostly chaotic.
- In just a few weeks, the baby will grow up so much that his movements will become noticeable to his mother, and every day they will become more intense. On average, a pregnant woman feels the first push of her baby at 18-22 weeks of pregnancy. It is impossible to predict this term more precisely, since many parameters are of great importance: what is the pregnancy, primiparous or multiparous mother, and the physique of the pregnant woman is also taken into account. Fat women, as a rule, later feel how the fetus is moving.
Important! From the moment of the first movement, the gynecologist will offer the pregnant woman to keep a diary in which the frequency of the baby's pushing should be recorded. You will need to count up to the first 10 movements per day and indicate the time of their occurrence. You should also take into account the nature of the movements, if their intensity has sharply increased or decreased - you need to urgently notify your doctor about this
Frequency of fetal movements at different stages of pregnancy
The period when the child begins to move is fixed by the gynecologist. This is necessary in order to further take into account the intensity and frequency of movements, according to the norms of fetal development.
During the first pregnancy and subsequent times, the baby's first kicks may differ.
In most cases, women who are carrying a baby for the second, third or more times feel the moment of the beginning of the baby's movements an order of magnitude earlier.
First pregnancy
The baby in the mother's mother begins to move during the first pregnancy starting at 18 weeks. Until this time, the expectant mother can look forward to the first shocks and confuse them with intestinal peristalsis or the movement of internal organs under the pressure of the growing uterus.
Second pregnancy
17 weeks - from this time on, the baby begins to move noticeably for the mother during the second pregnancy. From this cherished week, you can begin to wait for the first light and gentle jolts from your growing child.
Third pregnancy and subsequent
The baby begins to move during the third pregnancy much earlier than during the first two. After two pregnancies, a young mother already knows what the first sensations are, so she can accurately determine their beginning from the first moments of occurrence.
Interesting fact! From the moment the baby begins to give birth, the approximate delivery time can be calculated. For this, exactly 5 calendar months must be added to the day of the first stirring.
Do girls start jostling earlier?
The notion that girls begin to move earlier than male babies is unfounded. It is much more likely that there are sleepy babies who like to spend most of their time in the womb in a state of sleep. And there are also active babies, not yet having time to be born, arrange real "dances" in the mother's stomach.
Not to miss the main thing: how to understand that the child is moving
From the moment of the first stirring, the expectant mother has feelings of unbridled joy and awe for her child. Each pregnant woman does not perceive the onset of the baby's thrusts in the same way. For some, the movements resemble a light wave inside the abdomen, for others - the rolling of a ball, for others this event becomes so unexpected that they can not at all describe the sensations of this moment.
Consider how long to wait for a certain intensity with the baby's jerks.
- The very first shocks will not be very strong and only the woman herself in the position can feel them. They are rather weak due to the small size of the fetus; it simply cannot physically “give” you a push that is palpable for the hand on the stomach.
- from 24-25 weeks it is already quite possible to proudly demonstrate to relatives how the baby is pushing. The intensive growth of the baby leads to the fact that more and more space in the uterus is occupied by it, and not by amniotic fluid. At the end of the second trimester, the child pushes actively and strongly.
On a note! The baby's “hiccups” sensations during this period are very interesting. A pregnant woman feels a slight vibration, trembling inside herself. This can be especially felt after eating sweets - there is a myth that after eating chocolate, amniotic fluid becomes pleasant to the child, he ineptly swallows them, which leads to hiccups.
At a later date, from 32-33 weeks, the baby is less happy with his parents with his movements. There is very little space in the uterus for movement, and the baby only occasionally reminds of itself with a jolt during the day. The change in the position of the baby in the stomach is very noticeable for the mother. If he has been in breech position for a long time, then before giving birth he may turn over, which will cause the pregnant woman to feel a “commotion” in her stomach.
Just before childbirth, the baby can make itself felt by pushing in the right hypochondrium, where the baby's legs are usually located with the correct course of pregnancy and the location of the fetus in the abdomen. Sometimes the movements are so strong that they can cause discomfort to the pregnant woman. In this case, gynecologists advise to lean forward slightly, and the tremors will stop - in this position, oxygen is better supplied to the fetus through the umbilical cord, and it calms down.
The mom-to-be is with special trepidation about the motor activity of the baby in her tummy. After all, with these movements, the baby not only reports that it is growing and developing successfully, but also as if communicating with its mother. When does fetal movement begin during pregnancy? And what should be borne in mind, what should be paid attention to when the baby starts to move? Let's figure it out.
Many pregnant women look forward to the moment when they feel the movement of their baby. After all, then their connection with the child becomes stronger, since they already feel him physically. When does fetal movement begin? This question requires a rather lengthy answer, since there are many nuances that we will try to figure out.
The first fetal movement is observed at about the eighth week of pregnancy, when the baby acquires arms and legs. But the expectant mother does not feel these movements, they are still too weak, and the baby is so small that it lacks the walls of the uterus. She will feel them much later. When - depends on her "experience of the future mother."
A woman begins to catch fetal movements during the first pregnancy at about the twentieth week. A mother-to-be who is expecting her first baby is not always able to immediately understand that it is a child who is moving. It may seem to her that it rumbles in her stomach. But over time, she will learn to distinguish the baby's movements and will not confuse them with anything. Mothers feel the first fetal movements during pregnancy in different ways. One thinks that a grain of popcorn is exploding inside her. Another is that she is gently stroked from the inside. The third will compare the movements of the baby with the fluttering of a butterfly. The fourth will say that a small fish seems to be swimming inside her. Fifth, something is rolling quietly. Comparisons can be made endlessly.
The first fetal movement during the second pregnancy, the expectant mother, who already has the experience of carrying a child, feels earlier than during the first one. This happens around week 18. But perhaps even earlier.
Also, when a pregnant woman feels the fetal movement, her complexion affects. Thin women feel the baby's jolts earlier and more clearly. The same applies to expectant mothers who lead an active lifestyle. If we talk about a certain average period in which a woman should feel the first movements of the baby, then this time is from 16 to 24 weeks of pregnancy.
Be sure to fix in your memory the date when you felt the first movements of the crumbs. You will need to tell her doctor. He will make the necessary calculations and determine the approximate due date.
Also, according to the area of \u200b\u200bthe most active movement of the baby, you can determine his presentation in the future. For example, if the mother feels the strongest shocks in the lower abdomen, it means that the legs of the crumbs are there, and we are talking about the breech presentation. And if active movements are observed in the area of \u200b\u200bthe diaphragm, it means that the baby is head down.
How active should the baby's movements be? When the baby is awake, he constantly moves. The expectant mother feels the most frequent fetal movements, as a rule, in the evenings and at night, as well as when she is at rest. This can be explained by the fact that when a woman moves, the baby sways inside her tummy, and he is pleased. And when the expectant mother lies or sits, then the child is at rest. And he still wants to swing! And he begins to push his mother, informing her that she should not sit in one place. But over time, a mutual understanding will be established between the baby and his mother, and the baby will rest with her. The child will even have a certain routine. It will be useful for a woman to keep a diary in which she will write down when the baby is moving and when she is sleeping. After all, if any failures are noticeable in the mode, she will be able to consult a doctor in a timely manner, who will determine if everything is in order.
On average, at 20 weeks, the baby moves about 200 times a day. The most active fetal movement occurs between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation. Then the baby moves about 600 times a day. Then the baby grows up and no longer moves so freely inside the mother, so the number of movements decreases. Of course, the woman does not feel all these movements. In general, it is normal if the expectant mother feels about 10-15 movements per hour. When the baby is asleep, he does not move. Therefore, if there is no activity for several hours (up to four), this is not a reason for panic. The baby is resting, and when he wakes up, he will set the heat again! But if the baby does not move for about 6 hours or his activity has generally decreased significantly, you need to call an ambulance or go to an urgent doctor's appointment. After all, this may indicate fetal hypoxia. If the baby is moving very actively, then you should consult a doctor. Making somersaults inside the mother's tummy, the baby runs the risk of getting tangled in the umbilical cord. An experienced doctor will certainly give advice, following which you can "persuade" the child to become calmer.
With his movements, the baby is also able to demonstrate his attitude to various events. For example, if his mother "treated" him with something tasty, having eaten lunch or a delicacy, the baby expresses his approval with strong jerks. But if a woman has not eaten for a long time, and the baby also needs nutrients, he will also remind her that it is high time to eat by active stirring.
The crumb can push hard if mommy has taken some position in which it is uncomfortable for him to be in her tummy. The baby is able to respond to the stressful state of the mother or loud sounds around her either by a complete cessation of movements, or, on the contrary, by active movement.
Also, many babies begin to "dance" inside their mother's tummy when she listens to music that they like. Most toddlers like classical, calm music.
The movement of the baby in the womb is a special period of pregnancy, marking its half, the starting point for childbirth and the special sensations of the expectant mother. His pregnant women are waiting with great impatience. When does the fetus make, and is it always felt by the mother? How long does it take and what does it mean?
The first movements
In the mother's womb, the fetus begins to move for the first time at 8 weeks. Indeed, at this time, the first muscles are formed, which are responsible for motor activity. Since the baby is too small at this time, his movements are chaotic and convulsive. Therefore, mommy does not feel such movements. She also does not feel them because at this time almost all the space of the uterus is occupied by amniotic fluid, the child almost does not touch the walls, and if it does, it is very weak.
Over time, the fetus begins to grow and reaches a size at which its movements become tangible for the mother. Then the people around (the future dad and relatives) will be able to feel them by putting their hand on the pregnant woman's tummy. You can visually see such movements even closer to the due date. Sometimes the baby seems to be trying to stick out his fist, leg, resting on his mother's belly, and it's interesting to watch.
Feeling of wiggling mom
On average, at 18-22 weeks, the expectant mother for the first time feels the movement of the child. But this term is individual for each pregnant woman. After all, it depends on what kind of pregnancy is in a row, how the gestation takes place, what layer of fat on the mother's abdominal wall. Secondary mothers, as a rule, begin to feel the baby's movements 2 weeks earlier. Thin mothers also have a predisposition to feel movements earlier. For each pregnant woman, the nature of the movements is manifested in its own way. Some compare them with the flights of a moth, others with the swimming of a fish. But, in general, the first movements are not sharp and jerky. They are more like intestinal peristalsis, like rolling food in the stomach.
A pregnant woman should remember and write down the day when she first felt such movements. After all, the observing gynecologist will definitely ask about this. Why is the date so important? According to it, the doctor traditionally calculates the date of birth. So, if they are the first, then 20 weeks are added to the date of the first stirring, if the second - 22 weeks. Of course, this calculation is approximate, which is why the preliminary date of birth is called. But together with the date of the last menstruation, the planned ultrasound data, you can more accurately calculate the due date.
What movements are normal?
After the first movement, the expectant mother will feel them almost constantly. Indeed, with the growth and development of the baby, his activity also increases. This is normal. Movements and movements become more meaningful. A child can thus “resent”, inform his mother that something does not suit him. For example, the pose of mom while sleeping or a quarrel between parents, loud music in the room. But after the activity of the unborn child decreases, because it becomes simply uncomfortable for him to move due to insufficient space in the uterus. Then even a mother such movements can cause discomfort and inconvenience. Very often, pregnant women complain that a child who is calm during the day becomes too active at night. And the reason for this may be the mother's usual inattention to daytime movements, because she is busy with her own affairs, plans. But at night, when the mother is at rest, the child attracts attention. Perhaps he is not satisfied with the usual and prolonged posture of a woman in a dream. After all, some women are used to not changing it all night. So now mommy must "listen" to the child's requests and change her position in bed.
10 periods of movement of the child per day are considered normal, starting from the first movement and up to 32 weeks. their number decreases slightly or they become less active.
When mommy has ceased to feel movements, she needs to see a doctor to avoid problems.
Especially for Elena TOLOCHIK
Any woman awaits with trepidation the first knock from a child during pregnancy. The conscious movement of the fetus in response to the mother's behavior and emotions is the first language of communication between mother and baby. We will find out when contact begins to form, and how to properly establish it. Let's talk about the rates of fetal movements and possible causes of deviations.
When the child starts to move
The child begins to carry out his first movements at the stage of embryogenesis, at a period of 8 weeks. Of course, they are not yet realized by the baby and are not felt by the mother. After this moment, the motor activity of the fetus increases every day, but the baby is too small to be noticed. From about the middle of the second trimester - 18–20 weeks, a woman already clearly feels fetal movements, which are difficult to confuse with other processes in the body. If the girl accurately determines the period at which she noticed the movement of the child, then exactly 20 weeks are added to this period - this is how the date of birth is found out. With repeated pregnancy, 22 weeks are added. Of course, deviations can be in any direction. The time when the expectant mother will experience the baby's shocks depends on the following parameters:
- gestational age;
- what kind of pregnancy;
- the number of fetuses in the uterus;
- the build of a woman;
- time of day;
- the mother's lifestyle;
- woman's sensitivity;
- character, activity and health of the crumbs.
Primiparous women feel the first movements closer to the 20th week. In the second and subsequent pregnancies, the baby's movements can be observed already from the 16-18th week. If two or more fetuses grow in the uterus, then the tremors will be felt earlier, and throughout the pregnancy they will be more intense. Thin girls are more likely to notice movements before plump girls. The movements of the crumbs are especially noted in the evenings, before bedtime, and in others - in the morning, after breakfast.
If the expectant mother is forced to work a lot and for a long time, then there is no time left to listen to herself. Therefore, such a woman can recognize the signals from the baby much later. The threshold of sensitivity is also different for everyone, which affects the time when a pregnant woman hears her baby. Undoubtedly, the fetus, even in the womb, is distinguished by individual character traits, the nervous system, and reactions to stimuli. For example, someone reacts violently to loud external sounds, while the other calms down. The overall health of the baby also affects the level of its activity.
All this complex of aspects affects the duration of pregnancy, when the first contact between the fetus and the mother occurs.
Until 22 weeks, any woman should already feel the first movements of the baby.
If they are not there, this is the reason for contacting a gynecologist and conducting an ultrasound diagnosis. As a rule, after 23-24 weeks the tremors are so powerful that even relatives can feel them when they touch their stomachs. 
Feeling the movements of an unborn baby in the womb is an indescribable sensation both for the mother herself and for all those close to her.
Why you need to track fetal movements
Movement is life. Stirring of the fetus during gestation is a sign of its successful development. Too brisk, painful tremors or, conversely, weak, rare can talk about intrauterine problems: acute or chronic fetal hypoxia, polyhydramnios, oligohydramnios, etc. The movements of the child in the uterus will allow us to draw conclusions about the following points:
- the mode of life of the crumbs;
- the emotional state of the fetus;
- nutrition of the mother;
- fetal discomfort.
The schedule of sleep and wakefulness of the child in the womb may or may not correspond to the mother's. The emotional state of the fetus directly depends on the state of health of the mother. Children react differently to stress, loud sounds. Some begin to move violently, others freeze. One thing is certain, that the child feels the emotions of the mother. Therefore, it is so important for a woman to be less nervous, especially over trifles. The fetus may move more actively due to hunger. As soon as mommy has a snack, he calms down. The baby also signals any inconvenience with sharp jerks. For example, if the mother sleeps on her back, then the uterus presses on the lower vein, which provides oxygen to the fetus. The child in such a situation actively protests, convincing the woman to take a different position.
If necessary, the counting of the baby's movements is carried out after 28 weeks. When the gynecologist has a reason to assess fetal movements, there are special techniques for this purpose.
Table: methods for determining fetal movements
| Method | Technique | Features: | Norm |
| Pearson | The movements of the fetus are counted in 12 hours, from 9.00 to 21.00. The time of every tenth movement is marked. |
| About an hour should pass between the first and tenth wiggle. |
| Cardiff | The baby's movements are counted in 12 hours, but the woman herself determines the start and end time of the count. |
| At least 10 movements in 12 hours. |
| Sadowski | Counting is carried out in the evening, after dinner, from 19.00 to 23.00. |
| 10 movements per hour. |
A terrible sign is the absence of fetal movement for more than 6 hours.
It should be noted that the methods for determining fetal movements are not 100% informative, but only suggest the presence or absence of a problem. You can more accurately diagnose pathology using the following methods:
- listening to heart rate with an obstetric stethoscope;
- cardiotocography (CTG);
- Ultrasound with.
The CTG procedure is carried out after 30 weeks of pregnancy and allows you to assess the baby's heartbeat, make the correct diagnosis What sensations arise when the fetus moves and how to recognize them yourself
Depending on the complex of the above considered reasons that affect the sensation of movements, each woman determines the movements of the child in her own way. It is hardly possible to clearly distinguish tremors at 16–18 weeks. Most likely, it will resemble intestinal peristalsis.
As the body gains weight, the child's movements will become more and more noticeable, even to the point of pain. Observation of the first movements of the fetus contributes to a surge of great love in a woman and the development of a maternal instinct. The beginning of the baby's movements is also a sign for establishing closer contact with the child: talking about your feelings, singing songs, reading fairy tales, etc. Moreover, all these actions should be performed not only by the mother, but also by the future dad.
A scientifically proven fact is the statement that you need to raise a child from the womb. Any positive emotions, calmness, creativity, etc. - all this will certainly facilitate the course of pregnancy and the process of raising a baby.
Each woman in a different way conveys her feelings from the movements of the child. This could be:
- fluttering butterflies;
- splashing fish;
- gurgling;
- stroking;
- tickling.
Or more prosaically, like rumbling, flatulence. It is very difficult to independently recognize fetal movements, especially for a primiparous woman, but real. You need to learn to listen to your body and, of course, be able to be in a calm environment for some time in order to focus on sensations.
After 21-22 weeks, the fetus is able to hiccup and cough. For a woman, this is felt as rhythmic tremors for some time. Hiccups are a normal physiological process and are not a cause for concern.
Norms of the number of movements by week
During periods of wakefulness, the baby in the womb constantly makes various movements. He moves his arms and legs, fingering the umbilical cord, squinting, turning over, touching the walls of the uterus and his body. It is estimated that for a period of 20-22 weeks, the child makes up to 200 movements per day. The peak of the baby's activity falls on the period from 26th to 32nd weeks, when the number of movements can reach 600 in 24 hours. For various reasons, a woman is not able to record all the acrobatic numbers of her baby.
After 32 weeks (the beginning of the third trimester), the number of movements gradually decreases, due to the large size of the fetus and the limited free space in the uterus. Usually, at this time, the child takes the correct head presentation, and most of the movements are felt in the upper abdomen, where his legs are located. Normally, the baby's movements should be rhythmic and smooth. If a woman began to notice a sharp change in the type and number of movements, then this is a reason for contacting a gynecologist. Perhaps everything is in order with the baby, he just decided to show his temperament.
Before childbirth, there is a slight decrease in the child's activity, due to the tightness and preparation for the upcoming process. But there should be no absolute fading. It is imperative for a woman to record tremors daily until the onset of labor. Minor deviations from the norms in any direction are considered permissible.
Possible causes of changes in the movements of the child
When abrupt changes are noticed in the usual rhythm of the child's movements in the womb, it is necessary to understand the reasons for this phenomenon. The factors contributing to the change in fetal behavior can be conditionally divided into two groups:
- Physiological.
- Pathological.
The first group includes causes that are not related to the disease. This may be the wrong posture of the mother, negative emotions, loud harsh sounds, someone else's voice. The main thing for a woman is to learn to understand her child. Find out what scares him, or, conversely, calms and makes him happy. As a rule, children really like it when mom strokes her tummy and speaks to him affectionately. The kid will always respond with soft thrusts, as a sign that he hears and appreciates attention.
Pathological reasons for changes in the intensity of movements include:
- the threat of premature birth;
- changes in the amount of amniotic fluid (a lot or a little);
- acute, chronic fetal hypoxia.
And also the sources of painful movements of the child can be some pathologies of the mother. For example, cystitis, diaphragmatic hernia, etc. If there was a history of cesarean section surgery, then pain in the suture area during baby movements indicates problems with a scar on the uterus. Suspicion of pathological causes requires additional research and appropriate professional treatment.
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Of course, all future mothers are looking forward to the first movements of the fetus. Many women from this moment are truly aware of the fact of their pregnancy. At this stage, many questions arise regarding the activity of the fetus in the mother's tummy. We will answer the most popular ones.
1. The baby begins to move before you feel it
The first movement of the fetus begins early, already at 7-8 weeks of pregnancy. It was at this time that its first muscles and rudiments of the nervous system were formed. From about 10 weeks of pregnancy, the baby begins to move more actively in the uterus, sometimes bumping into its walls. However, he is still very small, and these blows are very weak, so the expectant mother cannot yet feel them.
2. "As if a fish swam": during the first pregnancy, fetal movements are felt later
The first movements of the fetus will be soft and tickling, as if a fish had swam. The expectant mother will be able to feel the tangible shocks a little later. If the pregnancy is the first, the first fetal movements can be noticed at 18–20 weeks, and with repeated pregnancy, at 16–18 weeks (the woman is already familiar with this sensation, she more accurately and earlier determines the fetal movement).
In general, the manifestation of the first fetal movements is very individual and depends on how sensitive the expectant mother is, as well as on her physique. For example, slender women can feel fetal movements earlier - even at 15-16 weeks, and larger mothers - sometimes later than 20 weeks.
Women who lead an active lifestyle, who work a lot, usually feel the fetal movements later, since with high employment they usually listen less to their inner feelings.
3. From 24 weeks, the fetus already "communicates" with the mother with the help of movements
Fetal movement is an indicator of a normal pregnancy, good growth, development and well-being of the baby. In the beginning, when the expectant mother only felt the first fetal movements (18–20 weeks), the movements may not even be felt every day. From 24 weeks of pregnancy, the expectant mother already feels how the fetus changes position, moves its arms and legs. Fetal motor activity increases gradually, and its peak falls on the period from the 24th to the 32nd week of pregnancy. At this time, she becomes one of the indicators of the normal development of the baby, the child begins to "communicate" with the mother through movements, to react to the sounds of her voice and emotional state. From the moment of "his growing up", when the baby began to actively move, he "speaks" to his mother, thereby informing her about his anxiety, joy, pleasure or his well-being.
In turn, the fetus is very sensitive to changes in the emotional state of the expectant mother. For example, when she is excited, worried about something, or happy, the baby may move more actively or, conversely, calm down for a while. Fetal movements can vary in quantity and intensity, even during the day. And this is normal.
4. If there is no movement, the baby can just sleep
Starting from the 24th week of pregnancy, the baby should move on average 10-15 times per hour. If the baby does not make itself felt within 3-4 hours, it is possible that he is just sleeping. In this case, the expectant mother needs to eat something sweet and lie on her left side for half an hour. If these simple steps do not help, it is worth repeating them again after 2-3 hours. If the baby still does not make itself felt, this is a reason to consult a doctor.
After 32 weeks of pregnancy, the number of fetal movements gradually decreases due to the fact that the baby is growing up, and he simply does not have enough free space. But their intensity and strength remain the same or grow. This becomes especially noticeable at the time of childbirth.
See your doctor immediately if:
- there is no fetal motor activity for 12 hours or more,
- the fetus was overly active for several days, and then abruptly subsided,
- you notice only rare and weak fetal movements (this may be caused by a lack of oxygen - fetal hypoxia).
5. How to count fetal movements? 2 special tests
It is recommended to count the number of fetal movements for every expectant mother, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy (after the 28th week) - there should be at least ten of them during the day. There are 2 fetal movement tests to assess fetal activity
"Count to ten"... On a special card (you can take it from your doctor or he will tell you how to draw it up), the number of fetal movements is noted daily, usually from 28 weeks of pregnancy. The essence of the fetal movement test is that the expectant mother counts fetal movements for 12 hours, for example, from 9 am to 9 pm. If the fetus makes less than 10 movements per period, this is a reason to consult a doctor for an examination.
There is another way to count fetal movements - sadovski technique... They spend it like this: in the evening after dinner, the woman lies on her left side and counts the movements of the fetus. In this case, one must take into account everything, even the smallest movements of the fetus. If 10 or more fetal movements are noted within an hour, this indicates that the baby is feeling well. If the fetus has moved less than 10 times in an hour, then its movements are counted for another hour. The evening time for this assessment method was not chosen by chance. It is in the evening, especially after dinner and the associated increase in glucose, that the fetus is most active. If the number of fetal movements is less than 10 times in 2 hours, this should be considered as a sign of a violation of its condition and additional research should be carried out.
6. Fetal movements may be a little painful
Sometimes the baby's movements hurt the expectant mother. In this case, she needs to change the position of her body (lie on the other side, walk, etc.). After that, the discomfort should go away. If for a long time, for several hours, fetal movements remain painful, the expectant mother should definitely inform the doctor about this, as this may be a sign of problems during pregnancy (for example, with oligohydramnios). In addition, most expectant mothers note some soreness in the hypochondrium, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy - and this is not a deviation from the norm, since the uterus has risen high enough for the baby to "reach" in these areas.
7. Smart baby: why are fetal movements too active?
The baby can move too actively, as already mentioned, when the emotional state of the expectant mother changes, in addition, this is how he can react to external noises (from about the 20th week of pregnancy, when the hearing aid is formed and the bones in it began to ossify to conduct sound ). Therefore, if the expectant mother comes to the apartment where the renovation is underway, or watches a movie with strong noise effects in the cinema, then, most likely, she will feel quite frequent shocks in her tummy.
8. What is the expression of oxygen starvation of the fetus?
There is a widespread belief that increased fetal activity is a sign of oxygen starvation, but this is not always the case. Indeed, in the initial stages of fetal hypoxia, the baby's restless behavior is noted, which consists in the frequency and strengthening of his movements. However, with a prolonged or increasing lack of oxygen, the movements of the little man weaken, or may even stop altogether. Therefore, anxiety should be caused by rare (less than 10 per day), weak fetal movements (especially after 30 weeks) or increased activity after a "quiet period", which requires urgent consultation with a doctor. If the doctor suspects that something is wrong, he will send the expectant mother for an ultrasound or CTG (cardiotocography), with which you can figure out why the baby is behaving this way. And if necessary, the doctor will prescribe treatment to normalize the fetus.
It is very important to listen to the sensations in your tummy and notice how often and intensively the baby moves. Then you can feel the changes in the nature of his movements and consult a doctor in time to make sure that everything is in order with the baby.
9. The little "astronaut" is always on the move
In the 20th week of pregnancy, the fetus makes about 200 movements per day, and in the period between the 28th and 32nd weeks, their daily amount reaches 600. Naturally, the expectant mother does not feel all the baby's movements, but only a small part of them. So, after 28 weeks, usually the frequency of movement of the fetus, according to the woman's sensations, is 4 to 8 times per hour, with the exception of periods of sleep (3-4 hours in a row). During the third trimester, a pregnant woman may notice that her baby has certain sleep and wake cycles. Children are usually most active from 7 pm to 4 am, and the period of "rest" occurs more often from 4 to 9 am.
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