When you can feel the baby moving the first pregnancy. Fetal movement during pregnancy: the norm, for how long, frequent, strong. Early movements: are they possible?

24.07.2023

Update: October 2018

All expectant mothers look forward to fetal movements during pregnancy, this is the first contact with the child, which makes the maternal instinct turn on, if this has not happened before. The movements of the unborn baby not only bring great joy to future parents, but help them suspect a pathology and immediately contact an obstetrician. When they start, how many perturbations are normal should be of interest to all pregnant women.

Why does the fetus move?

The movements of a little man in the womb are necessary, they speak of his growth and development. The baby begins to move already in the first trimester, at about 7 to 8 weeks. By week 10, he has swallowing movements, he can change the trajectory of his movements and touch the walls of the amniotic bladder. But the size of the embryo is still insufficient, it only floats freely in the amniotic fluid, extremely rarely “collides” with the uterine walls, so the woman still does not feel anything.

Starting from the 16th week, the fetus is already sensitive to sounds, which is manifested by an active motor reaction. From the 18th week, the future baby begins to touch the umbilical cord with his hands, knows how to squeeze, unclench his fingers, touches his face.

Therefore, the fetus worries in the mother's stomach, which in turn worries the woman when exposed to external factors that are unpleasant for the baby:

strong, unpleasant, loud sounds;
feeling of discomfort in the womb, for example, the mother's hunger;
stress experienced by the mother (due to the release of adrenaline, the vessels, including those in the placenta, are reduced, the blood supply worsens);
oxygen starvation (due to active movements, the placenta is stimulated, its blood supply is increased, which provides the child with additional oxygen).

In addition, if a woman has taken an uncomfortable position when large vessels are squeezed, the child experiences a lack of oxygen and also becomes active.

First movements

Each woman feels the first movement of the fetus differently at different times. When this happens depends on several factors:

gestational age;
first or second, etc. pregnancy;
time of day (usually in the evening or at night);
mother's complexion (thin or full);
Times of Day;
variant of placenta attachment;
Lifestyle;
individual sensitivity (some feel from 15 to 16 weeks);
mother's behavior (physically active women simply do not notice movements).

According to statistics, the first fetal movement during the first pregnancy is felt by a pregnant woman at 20 weeks. And with repeated bearing of the fetus, the terms of stirring are reduced to 18 weeks.

But everything is individual, even for an individual woman, the second, third and subsequent pregnancy proceeds every time in a new way. If a woman during her second pregnancy began to feel fetal movement at 19 weeks, then during the third pregnancy these terms may change (feel sooner or later).

Movement rate

The rate of fetal movements depends on the gestational age of the expectant mother. The baby is constantly moving, but of course, a woman cannot feel all his movements.

At a period of 20 - 22 weeks, the fetus makes up to 200 movements per day,
but by 27 - 32 weeks he is already doing about 600 movements. It is characteristic that with the beginning of the third trimester (32 weeks), the amount decreases, which is explained by its weight (the fetus is already quite large) and it becomes cramped in the uterus. There are no longer “large” movements (turns and coups in the uterus) and the baby can only produce “small” arms and legs.
After the 28th week, the average amount is 8 - 10 per hour. The exception is the periods of sleep of the child, which is equal to 3 - 4 hours - at this time the baby does not make active movements. The expectant mother should remember certain cycles of the child's activity. The greatest activity is observed from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m., and the decrease in activity or the so-called state of rest falls on the period from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m.
By 32 weeks, the fetus takes the final position, as a rule, it is the head to the small pelvis (longitudinal position, head presentation). But the transverse position or breech presentation is not excluded. Mom should not despair, in order to correct such provisions, the doctor will always prescribe special gymnastics, which contribute to the rollover of the fetus and its acceptance of the “correct” position - longitudinal, head to the small pelvis.

If the child has taken the “correct” position, that is, head down, then the pregnant woman will feel movements in the upper abdomen (the child “beats” with her legs). In the case of a breech presentation, the movements will be felt below, at the bosom.

Changing the intensity of the movements

If the baby is well and comfortable in the womb, and the mother does not experience any external or internal stimuli, then the movements are rhythmic and smooth. Otherwise, the nature of the movements changes dramatically, which should alert the woman and requires the advice of an obstetrician.

As a rule, a woman notes the "increased" activity of the baby when she is calm and resting. Conversely, many mothers are afraid that during her vigorous activity the child does not move at all. Such a phenomenon is easily explained. When a woman is at rest, she listens more carefully to her feelings and carefully notes the movements of the child. When she is busy, she does not have time to be distracted from business and she simply does not notice that the baby is moving. In order to dispel her doubts (the child is ill, he is dying), the pregnant woman should sit down and relax, following how he moves.

Doctors very often advise pregnant women to take the position of bed rest - on the left side. It is in this position that the blood supply to the uterus is enhanced, which is used in the treatment of chronic fetal hypoxia and for its prevention.

It is possible to change activity from an uncomfortable or incorrect body position for a woman, for example, lying on her back or sitting with a straight back. When the expectant mother lies on her back, the pregnant uterus strongly compresses the inferior vena cava (one of the main blood vessels).

When this vessel is compressed, blood flow to the uterus is significantly reduced and the baby begins to experience oxygen deficiency.

So that mommy understands that he is ill, he has violent and frequent movements. It is quite simple to establish blood circulation and eliminate hypoxia - mom should turn on her side.

Also, the motor activity of the child changes if the mother is in a stuffy or smoky room. Due to the lack of oxygen, the child reacts to the situation with painful and strong shocks. A woman should leave the room and take a walk in order to restore a comfortable state for herself and the baby.

In addition, fetal tremors change if the mother feels hungry. He is experiencing a lack of nutrients and "calms down", moves sluggishly and reluctantly. But as soon as the pregnant woman has a snack, the joy of the baby is expressed in increased activity.

Movements in pathological conditions

If the child’s motor activity suddenly becomes violent, prolonged and causes pain to a woman, this indicates some kind of pathological condition and requires immediate medical attention:

Threatened preterm birth

Movements become frequent and violent due to the increased tone of the uterus.

Polyhydramnios

In this case, the nature of the shocks is radically different. They are rarely felt by a woman, and their strength is insignificant, which is explained by the large volume of the uterus, where the baby rarely touches its walls and the mother does not often feel his movements.

oligohydramnios

Due to the small volume of amniotic fluid, the child in the womb becomes crowded, he constantly "beats" in the mother's stomach, which is characterized by a woman as frequent and painful tremors.

Acute hypoxia

With pathologies such as placental abruption, preeclampsia, and others, the fetus experiences acute oxygen deficiency and reacts accordingly.

Chronic hypoxia

It develops in the presence of fetoplacental insufficiency, anemia, preeclampsia. Movement is sluggish and becomes rare.

Diaphragmatic hernia in a pregnant woman

In this case, the mother experiences pain under the sternum when the fetus moves.

Failure of the scar on the uterus

If a woman had a caesarean section in her anamnesis, then with the insolvency of the scar, which can lead to rupture of the uterus, she feels pain in the area of the scar when the baby moves.

Acute cystitis

With inflammation of the bladder, a pregnant woman complains of frequent, painful urination, pain during movements in the lower abdomen.

How do jolts feel?

Each pregnant woman describes the sensations in her own way, besides, they change with an increase in the gestational age.

For short periods (20 - 25 weeks), women characterize them as “butterfly fluttering” or “fish swimming”. Other pregnant women report "fluttering" or "phone vibrating" or "tickling". Some describe their feelings not so romantically: "gurgling in the stomach, as if the intestines are acting up."
After 27-28 weeks, when the fetus has already grown enough, its movements become clearer and more specific. The future mother, and even the future father, can feel a kick in the area of \u200b\u200bthe abdomen where the hand is placed. The dissatisfaction of the baby is very often expressed by such “kicks” - in case of an uncomfortable posture by the mother or with loud and annoying sounds. But if an unfamiliar hand was applied to the mother’s stomach, the child shrinks in fear and does not want to “kick”.

Count

In order to determine how the fetus feels, it is important to count its movements. How to count fetal movements? For this purpose, several methods are used:

Pearson method

This method is based on counting movements over 12 hours. Produced from 9 am to 9 pm. During this test, only one condition is required from a woman - to reduce physical activity. All movements are considered, even the most minimal or weak ones. In the antenatal clinic, the doctor issues a special form or asks you to independently draw up a table of fetal movements, where the time of the tenth movement will be noted. Normally, about an hour should elapse between the first and tenth movement. And of course, the mother must remember that a period of rest is also possible, which should last no more than 4 hours. If this time is exceeded, it is urgent to contact an obstetrician.

To make a table, you should take a notebook sheet in a box and line it as follows. The gestational age is written at the top. Hours from 9.00 to 21.00 are marked vertically, and days of the week or dates are marked horizontally. From nine in the morning, you should start counting the movements. As soon as their number reaches 10, a mark is placed in the table at the hour when this happened. Additional information is entered in the table: there were less than 10 movements and how many in total. We continue the calculation in the following days and be sure to enter the data in a table, with which you need to come to the doctor's appointment.

Cardiff method

The basis of this method also consists in counting the movements of the baby in 12 hours, the only difference is that the woman herself chooses the hour to start counting. Again, a table is compiled, where the tenth stirring is recorded. It is considered normal when the tenth movement happened before the 12th hour of the study. Otherwise, see a doctor immediately.

Sadowski method

The counting of fetal movements begins after dinner from 19.00 to 23.00. This method is based on the fact that in the evening and after eating the fetus increases motor activity. Be sure to record the start time of the count, and the pregnant woman should lie on her left side at this time.

When the fetus makes 10 movements in an hour or less, the counting stops. But if there were fewer of them, continue to count the movements. An unfavorable sign is a decrease in movements (less than 10) in 2 hours.

Thus, it becomes clear that every pregnant woman can master the listed methods of counting the movements of the baby. The use of these techniques does not require any equipment and medical supervision.

Diagnosis of pathology

A change in the nature and intensity of movements in the unborn baby indicates his trouble. A formidable sign is the absence of movements for 6 or more hours, which requires immediate medical attention. Methods for studying the condition of the fetus include:

Auscultation of the fetal heart

Listening to the heart rate is carried out directly by the obstetrician using an obstetric stethoscope (wooden tube). The normal fetal heart rate is 120-160 beats per minute. With a deviation in one direction or another, they talk about oxygen starvation of the baby, which requires instrumental research methods.

Cardiotocography (CTG)

CTG is considered to be an affordable, reliable and most accurate method for assessing the condition of the fetus. CTG is performed from 32 weeks of gestation, and if intrauterine pathology is suspected, even earlier (from 28 weeks). With the help of cardiotocography, not only the movements of the fetus are recorded, but also the rhythm of its heart contractions and uterine contractions. The study is carried out as follows: the pregnant woman is placed on the couch, and 2 sensors are attached to the stomach. One is in a well-listened place of the fetal heartbeat (he will register the heart rate), and the other is nearby (fixes uterine contractions). A cardiotocogram is recorded for at least 30 minutes, but it is also possible to increase the study time to 1.5 hours. During the removal of a cardiotocogram, a woman needs to note every movement of the baby and press a special button. Cardiotocogram analysis includes:

basal heart rate (normal 120 - 160 beats per minute);
amplitude of variability (admissibility of deviations up or down) of the basal rhythm (normal 5 - 25 beats per minute);
decelerations (sudden jumps in the curve down) - normally absent or sporadic, shortened and shallow;
accelerations (sudden jumps in the curve up) - normally there should be at least 2 within 10 minutes of the study.

For a more accurate diagnosis of the fetal condition, CTG is performed with functional tests (without exercise and with the introduction of intravenous oxytocin).

doppler ultrasound

Carrying out an ultrasound examination allows you to assess the size of the fetus, their compliance with the gestational age (with chronic hypoxia, there is a lag in size). The doctor also studies the structure of the placenta, the degree of maturity (signs of aging), the volume of amniotic fluid and its type (with oxygen starvation of the baby, these indicators change). With the help of dopplerometry, placental and umbilical vessels, blood flow velocity in them are studied. If the blood flow is reduced, they speak of intrauterine fetal hypoxia.

During the ultrasound for 20-30 minutes, the movements of the child, his heart rate and muscle tone are assessed. If the fetus does not experience discomfort, then its limbs are bent - a sign of normal muscle tone. In the case of unbent arms and legs, they speak of a reduced tone, which indicates oxygen starvation.

Question answer

This is my first child, but it's been 4 hours and I don't feel any fetal movements. What to do?

First of all, you need to calm down. The fetus does not always move actively, for 3-4 hours the absence of movements is allowed, at this time the baby is sleeping. Try to hold your breath for a while, the blood will stop flowing to the placenta, to the child, he will experience mild hypoxia and in response he will “be indignant” - he will begin to “beat” with his arms and legs. If this method does not help, watch the baby for another 30 to 40 minutes. In the absence of even the slightest movement, immediately consult an obstetrician.

What movements of the fetus should be before childbirth?

On the eve of childbirth, the baby practically stops moving, which is considered normal. The child is preparing for birth, which is a very difficult process for him and requires a lot of strength, and a decrease in the motor activity of the fetus saves energy before childbirth. But there should not be an absolute lack of movement, the baby, although occasionally, makes movements.

How does cardiotocography and Doppler ultrasound affect the child's condition? Isn't it harmful?

No, these methods are absolutely safe, both for the baby and for the mother.

I am going to give birth to my third child, the term is still small, 10 weeks. What and when should the movements be during the third pregnancy?

It is impossible to say for sure at how many weeks you will feel a stir. Here everything is individual. Normally, during a second pregnancy, the mother begins to feel the movements of the fetus from 18 weeks. But their earlier start is also possible, at 16 weeks. But the nature of the movements can be completely different, unlike the first two pregnancies, and this should not be scared. All children are different, even while still in their mother's belly.

I have a "bad" CTG, which was performed twice. Is it necessary to go to the hospital?

Yes, the “bad” results of cardiotocography indicate intrauterine fetal suffering and require medical treatment in a hospital. In addition to treatment in the hospital, you will repeat CTG and, if necessary, decide on early delivery.

Instruction

The first movements of the baby are compared by many with the flapping of the wings of a butterfly or the splashing of a small fish. However, careful touching is easily confused with the movement of gases inside the intestines, and only when the child begins to noticeably kick, there is no doubt.

At first, the movements of the baby will be subtle, but soon his activity increases. The most active and noticeable fetal movements are observed between 24 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. During this period, the expectant mother feels the movements of the child almost constantly, and their frequency indicates the physical and mental state of the baby.

After 32 weeks, the movements become less active. The child increases in size, it becomes crowded in the uterus, active movements become impossible. At the end of the third trimester of pregnancy, the motor activity of the baby noticeably decreases, but does not disappear. If a woman does not feel the baby's movements for a long time, it is necessary to visit a doctor.

When you are expecting a child for the first time, many things seem incomprehensible and exciting: how will the baby feel for 9 months, how many kilograms will I gain, will I experience the pain of toxicosis? All these questions are asked by many expectant mothers. Very soon they will all find their answers. Perhaps the best feeling that leaves many worries behind is the first movements of the baby, they are expected almost from the first days of pregnancy.

Instruction

The main thing is not to rush yourself and wait for this exciting moment. Of course, many pregnant women are worried that the first movements will not appear to or will be difficult. These sensations should appear from 16 to 24 weeks, and it is important for mothers to understand how they feel, to tell the observing doctors about it. So, firstly, you need to understand that it is quite difficult to confuse movements with something else.

The future baby can roll over, move arms and legs, rotate his head, suck the umbilical cord or finger, even somersault while there is still enough space in the uterus. It is generally accepted that the child moves when he is awake. Also, the baby can react with intense movements to sweets eaten by a pregnant woman. However, strong sharp jolts should alert the expectant mother, because such behavior of the baby can also indicate discomfort. For example, a pregnant woman lay down or sat up, or the room is stuffy or smoky - in these cases, excessively active stirring is a likely reaction to insufficient oxygen supply to the fetus. In order to help the baby, you need to slightly open the window, providing fresh air.

If the increased activity of the child is associated with a long stay of the mother in a sitting position, you need to take a little walk, preferably in the fresh air, to ensure blood flow to the pelvic organs, which, in turn, will provide placental blood with oxygen. And, of course, it would be superfluous to talk about how harmful it is for the baby to stay in a room filled with tobacco smoke. Even passive smoking is very dangerous for a growing fetus, since poisons penetrating the bloodstream can lead to a number of diseases, pathological conditions and malformations of the child.

How many fetal movements are normal

In the second trimester of pregnancy, when all expectant mothers already feel the movements of their babies, it is still impossible to talk about any regularity and the norm of the number of fetal movements, since the child is still too small and the mother may not always feel his movements. In the third trimester, from the 28th week of pregnancy, by the number and intensity of movements, one can already judge the well-being of the baby. That is why, in some cases, the gynecologist observing the pregnancy may prescribe special testing in order to count the number of movements and take the necessary measures in time to preserve the health of the child.

What is the Pearson test

The Pearson test is by far the most popular method of analysis that helps the obstetrician-gynecologist to draw conclusions about the health of the child in the womb. Pearson's method is called "Count to 10". To calculate fetal movements, the doctor gives the pregnant woman a special table, which displays the numbering of weeks from 28 to 40 and the time from 9:00 to 21:00. From 9 o'clock in the morning, the mother begins to count the movements of the fetus. Feeling the tenth stirring, mother marks this time in the table with a cross and does not count anymore on this day. If in the period from 9 am to 9 pm the pregnant woman feels less than ten movements, then their number is indicated at the bottom of the table and after 9 pm on that day she no longer counts. Testing is carried out daily from the 28th week of pregnancy.

The Cardiff and Sadowski methods work on the same principle, aimed at counting fetal movements over a 12-hour period of time.

What to do if the child is too active or for a long period

Intrauterine fetal hypoxia begins with an increase in the child's motor activity, so if the baby moves more actively than before, try changing your body position or taking a walk in the fresh air. Prolonged hypoxia can lead to a decrease in fetal activity. If you find this, try eating a snack or taking a warm shower. Usually these measures are sufficient. Well, if the child behaves too restlessly or, conversely, does not make itself felt for several hours, this is an occasion to immediately consult a doctor who will give clear instructions on how to act in such a situation for a pregnant woman.

What does a woman feel when the baby moves for the first time and how to recognize this moment? Such questions, no doubt, are asked by all expectant mothers. Therefore, consider the main signs that indicate the movement of the child.

In most cases, when the fetus moves, a woman feels small tremors. However, in the early stages of pregnancy, they are not very pronounced. In this case, the expectant mother feels only some movements of the fetus. As a rule, women begin to feel the movement of their child at the gestation period from 19 to 21 weeks.

It is quite difficult to unambiguously describe the feeling experienced by a woman at the first stirring of a child. Some expectant mothers note that this feeling has many similarities with increased intestinal motility. Other women say that the movement of the child is like a fluttering butterfly, rolling objects, or a swimming fish. In any case, such sensations are completely painless for the mother herself and do not cause her discomfort for a longer period of pregnancy.

Only with the increased growth of the child, a woman can feel the movements of the baby, more pronounced than in the first months of pregnancy. The activity of the fetal movement is associated with the time of day, the movements of the mother and her physiological rhythms. Having learned to recognize the movements of the baby, the mother can even control their activity by adjusting the modes of eating, as well as sleep and wakefulness.

For a woman, especially a primipara, the first stirring of a baby is an extremely touching moment in her life. At this moment, for the first time, she can feel a living person inside herself, which for many expectant mothers is an incentive for a more responsible attitude towards her pregnancy.

Due to the individuality of the body of each woman, expectant mothers feel the first movement of their child in completely different ways. The timing during which the first movement of the fetus occurred may also differ. It depends on the body type of the woman and also on whether the woman is primiparous or multiparous.

It is noteworthy that women carrying their first pregnancy begin to feel the movement of the fetus much later compared to women who have already given birth before. This is due to the fact that in primiparous women, the walls of the uterus are much less sensitive.

The first fetal movement is an exciting event for every mother

The nature of the movements of the child

How can the nature of the child's movement help the expectant mother to diagnose the condition of her child, and what signs should cause particular alertness? Every woman needs to know this in order to take the necessary measures in time, as well as to better understand her child.

It is noteworthy that the embryo first begins to move as early as the seventh week of pregnancy. However, these movements are so small that the expectant mother cannot recognize and feel them. Most often, the fetus begins to move from the 14th to the 26th week of pregnancy. In the event that a woman does not feel any movement of the fetus at twenty weeks of pregnancy, her doctor may advise her to undergo an ultrasound examination to make sure that the baby is developing normally.

Women describe the first fetal movement as pushing, kicking, trembling, bumping, or fluttering. However, in some cases, nulliparous women may mistake the baby's movement for movement in the gastrointestinal tract. The intensity of the future mother's perception of the child's movements largely depends on her weight and constitutional features.

Experts have noticed that overweight women can feel their child very weakly, and, conversely, thin women note pronounced signs of fetal movement. Also, it depends on the activity of the pregnant woman. During the period of movement, the expectant mother may not recognize the subtle signals given by her baby. In turn, in a state of complete rest, a woman has an ideal opportunity to listen to the movements of the child.

Around the 28th week of pregnancy, the frequency of fetal movement increases. At this time, expectant mothers may notice the almost constant movement of the child. A woman needs to learn how to control the activity of the fetus so that the biological clocks of the woman and the child coincide.

In the event that a pregnant woman accidentally takes an incorrect position from an anatomical point of view, the child may suddenly and abruptly begin to move. This usually happens when a woman lies on her back or crosses one leg over the other in a sitting position. As a rule, when changing the posture, the expectant mother stops feeling the rapid movement of the child. However, if the frequency of movements has not decreased within a few hours, a woman should urgently consult a doctor in order to diagnose and prevent such a fetal condition as oxygen starvation.

By the nature of the movements, you can determine the condition of the fetus

The frequency of the baby's movements

Many modern pregnant women are wondering what frequency of fetal movement is considered normal. Such experiences are quite justified, since too little or too much movement may indicate a problem.

Upon reaching the gestational age of 24 weeks, the baby can move up to 15 times per hour. However, sometimes the movement stops for several hours, which should not bother the expectant mother, since at this time the child is just sleeping. The reason for immediate medical attention can only be the complete absence of any fetal movements for twelve hours.

If a woman notes that the nature and frequency of the child's movements have somehow changed over the past few days, this is also a serious reason to contact an obstetrician-gynecologist. Any change in fetal activity that has not been observed before should alert the expectant mother.

In order to reliably assess the frequency of a child's movement, there is a special Pearson test. After the gestational age exceeds 32 weeks, the expectant mother should regularly record the time of every tenth fetal movement. It is recommended to choose a time interval for such observation from 9 am to 9 pm.

In the event that the number of marks is less than ten, this may indicate the development of oxygen deficiency in the child, which, of course, should not be ignored, since such a condition can lead to the death of the fetus. A pregnant woman should see a doctor as soon as possible with this problem.

Many expectant mothers also note that the number of movements of their baby increases markedly in the late afternoon, which is quite normal. Also, a woman should be aware that the child is most active between the 24th and 32nd weeks of pregnancy. However, as the third trimester approaches, the end of the baby's movements may decrease. This is especially evident immediately before the birth itself. However, it should be remembered that the intensity of the movements of the child must be the same as before, so that it can be argued that everything is in order with the child.

Thus, a simple procedure for counting the number of fetal movements can tell the expectant mother a lot of important things about the condition of her baby.

It is necessary to control the frequency of fetal movements

Movement of the baby in the third trimester of pregnancy

What should a woman pay special attention to in the third trimester of pregnancy? Consider the most important moments for a woman in this period of time.

The third trimester begins around the seventh month of pregnancy. At this time, the child is already almost formed. At this stage, its organs and systems are completing their development, and there is also a rapid, compared with the first months of pregnancy, an increase in the growth and weight of the fetus. Due to the fact that the child at this stage is becoming stronger and stronger, the expectant mother may notice an increase in the intensity of shocks and movements.

It is noteworthy that at the beginning of the third trimester of pregnancy, the fetus can still freely rotate in the uterine cavity, taking a variety of positions. However, upon reaching 30 or 32 weeks, the fetus is already quite large and by this time takes its permanent position.

In most pregnancies, the baby is positioned head down in the uterine cavity. This position, called cephalic presentation of the fetus, is the most anatomical and allows the baby to easily pass through the birth canal. However, in some cases, there are conditions such as breech presentation of the fetus. In this case, the child is placed legs down, which makes it difficult or impossible for natural delivery.

In order to give the fetus the position necessary for the natural course of childbirth, special techniques are used in obstetrics, with the help of which the doctor gently changes the position of the fetus by pressing in certain places of the abdomen.

Already at the beginning of the third trimester of pregnancy, the expectant mother can determine by her feelings what position the child is in. As a rule, in the case of head presentation, a woman feels the active movements of the child in the upper part of the uterus. If the fetus is located in the uterus with legs down, a woman during pregnancy feels active movements in the lower abdomen.

With the onset of the third trimester of pregnancy, the expectant mother can already recognize the sleep and wakefulness patterns of her baby. Moreover, she already knows what positions she needs to take during sleep so that the child does not experience oxygen starvation. It is known that when a woman is lying down, the blood vessels in the uterus are slightly compressed, to which the child, as a rule, responds with intense movements.

In the third trimester, the mother already knows the regimen of the child

Diagnosis of the condition of a woman by the nature of the movement of the child

How can a woman diagnose her condition and the condition of the child by the nature of the child’s movement, and also notice in time the presence of any abnormalities during pregnancy? This question is asked by many women who know the detrimental consequences of an inattentive attitude to the signs that the human body gives.

For any deviations in the behavior of the child, a woman should contact an obstetrician-gynecologist for an additional examination. If the expectant mother cannot quickly get to the doctor, it is necessary to call an ambulance specialist who will listen to the fetal heartbeat. Normally, it should be from 120 to 160 beats per minute. After that, doctors will send the woman to a medical facility for further diagnostic procedures.

Even if there are no abnormalities in the fetal heart rate, the doctor prescribes the woman to undergo a cardiotocographic study (CTG), which will determine if the child is experiencing oxygen starvation. During the study, the doctor attaches a special sensor at the level of the anterior abdominal wall of the woman's abdomen. The expectant mother holds a button in her hand, which she presses every time she feels the movement of the child. This information is displayed graphically, and the doctor can determine the status of the baby's heart rate. It should be noted that the CTG method is most effective at gestational age from 30 to 32 weeks.

The constant movement of the baby and the increase in the woman's belly in size indicates the normal course of pregnancy. The expectant mother should remember that the only way to tell about her condition in a child is just stirring. Therefore, a woman should approach the assessment and diagnosis of the child's movements with the utmost responsibility.

First of all, by the nature of the movement of the fetus, a woman can independently suspect an incorrect presentation of the fetus, which often entails the need for surgical delivery. This will allow her to seek qualified medical help as soon as possible. With timely treatment, the position of the fetus can be changed with the help of special obstetric techniques, after which the woman will be able to give birth to a child in a natural way.

Why expectant mothers need to listen to the movements of their child

What are the advantages of elementary medical knowledge for a modern woman? How, with their help, the expectant mother can prevent a lot of undesirable consequences for herself and her child? In order to answer this question, it is necessary to consider the main problems that may arise with the health of a woman and a baby during pregnancy.

One of the most dangerous conditions for a child is hypoxia, which occurs due to a violation of the normal blood flow to the placenta, as a result of which the fetus begins to experience oxygen starvation. First of all, it threatens the appearance of various disorders in the nervous and cardiovascular system of the child. If the child does not receive enough oxygen for a long time, this can in a certain way affect both the mental and physical levels of fetal development. At the same time, women should remember that such a condition is equally likely to occur both in early and later stages of pregnancy.

To protect her child from prolonged oxygen starvation, a woman should regularly monitor the frequency and nature of the baby's movements. To prevent the occurrence of such a complication, from the very beginning of pregnancy, a woman should move enough, eat rationally, and also devote enough time to sleep and rest. Also, the expectant mother should constantly monitor her weight. Excess body weight provokes the occurrence of shortness of breath in a woman, which is extremely harmful for both the baby and the mother herself. To avoid overeating, the daily calorie intake of a pregnant woman should not exceed 1600 kcal / day.

Another complication of pregnancy that a woman can independently identify in herself is the incorrect presentation of the fetus. By carefully listening to changes in the nature of the movement of the child, a woman with an incorrect presentation will immediately notice changes in her body. The most common is head presentation of the fetus, in which childbirth proceeds most naturally. With a breech presentation of the fetus, the child is located in the uterine cavity with the legs down, as a result of which the expectant mother constantly feels strong activity in the lower abdomen. This should alert the woman and force her to see a doctor for a medical examination.

The most dangerous in obstetric practice is the oblique presentation of the fetus, when the child's body is located at a right angle to the body of the uterus. With such a presentation, as the child grows, his movements cause discomfort to the woman, and even pain. In this case, self-delivery is not possible.

In order to prevent the appearance of a pelvic or oblique presentation of the fetus, during pregnancy, a woman needs to perform a set of special exercises that will allow the fetus to take the correct position in the uterus. It is important to note that these exercises should only be prescribed by an obstetrician-gynecologist. Unauthorized and especially excessively intense exercises for a pregnant woman are extremely contraindicated.

By the nature of the movements, the mother can determine the position of the fetus

In order to stay healthy and safely endure pregnancy, a woman must follow all the recommendations of a doctor, be under the supervision of a local obstetrician-gynecologist, as well as eat right and varied, just walk in the fresh air and observe sleep and wakefulness. She should also monitor the nature of the movements of her child, which can tell a lot about his well-being.

Every mother-to-be always looks forward to the beginning fetal movements. It is from this moment that many women are fully aware of the fetus as their child. The most exciting questions of pregnant women about moving the baby are when the baby starts moving, how the expectant mother feels, and how often the movements of the crumbs should be felt.

Move around in the uterine cavity the fetus begins in the first trimester of pregnancy, usually from 7 weeks. At first, these are unconscious uncoordinated movements, of course you don’t feel them - the fetus is still too small. With the baby can already push off the wall of the uterus to change the trajectory of its movement. To the baby reacts to sounds by the occurrence of motor activity. First of all, the baby reacts to your voice. By week 18, the fetus can already consciously turn away from loud unpleasant sounds.

When does a woman begin to feel fetal movements?

Primiparous women begin to feel the movement of their baby by 20 weeks. Multiparous can feel the movements of the fetus already from 16-18 weeks, as they already know what sensations to expect, and also the wall of the uterus in a woman who has given birth is more sensitive. The given terms are the average statistical norm, each pregnant woman may have individual characteristics, someone feels movements already at 14 weeks, and someone only at 24 weeks.

The physique of the expectant mother also matters; in obese women, as a rule, fetal movements are felt later. At first, the movements of the crumbs are single, weak, and the expectant mother may not immediately understand these sensations. As the baby grows and develops, the movements become regular and more intense (just in time for 20-22 weeks). The greatest activity of fetal movements is observed from 24 to 30 weeks of pregnancy, the number of fetal movements per day can be 300-500 or more. After the activity of the baby's movements decreases, because there is not so much space in the uterus as before. But the intensity and strength of fetal movements increases.

How do fetal movements feel?

This issue is of particular concern to primiparous mothers.. Typically, women describe fetal movement as light jolts, "rolling" in the abdomen, "splashing of fish", peristaltic waves of the intestines. Usually sensations of perturbations are localized above the bosom. Sometimes especially active mothers may simply not notice the movements of their crumbs, but this does not mean that they do not exist. Most often, the movements are most noticeable in the evening before bedtime. As the crumbs grow, his movements become more tangible and active, and are already perceived as pushes and kicks.

How can the condition of the child be judged by the movements of the fetus?

Since the onset of regular fetal movements you can already control the condition of your crumbs (after 24 weeks). The baby can already express his dissatisfaction, joy, and tell you about his well-being. If the baby does not have enough nutrition, then he begins to actively move, with his movements he massages the placenta, thereby improving blood flow in it. If you are in the supine position, then the enlarged uterus compresses large vessels (inferior vena cava, aortic bifurcation area), the fetus in this position after 24-26 weeks may already experience hypoxia (lack of oxygen), so it will immediately respond to you with violent jolts and kicks until you change your posture. Pregnant women are not recommended to sleep lying on their backs, the best position would be on their side.

Clamping the vessels of the umbilical cord by the fetus will also cause intense movements of the baby, it will force him to change his position. Too violent and painful stirring of the fetus may indicate trouble.

Mother's pain from fetal movements may occur in the last trimester of pregnancy. Particularly painful shocks are felt in the hypochondrium. If the baby pushes painfully, then you first need to change your position. It often happens that the baby's motor activity does not coincide with your plans (for example, to sleep), because the baby does not distinguish between day and night. And in the last trimester, when the baby has already taken some position, and you lie on the wrong side, the baby will not calm down until you take a position that is convenient for him.

Also in the second half of pregnancy, many women begin to notice that their baby hiccups. It looks like rhythmic pushes at short intervals. The baby can hiccup for quite a long time and several times a day. It does not bring him any discomfort, and there are no special reasons for excitement.

Control of fetal movements.

As already described above fetal movements indicate its condition. You need to listen to the movements of the fetus, but you should not pay too much attention to this.
You should pay attention if the fetal movements have become weak and lethargic, or vice versa, excessively active for a long time.
To assess fetal movement, there is a simple Pearson method. It lies in the fact that in 12 hours the number of fetal movements should be at least 10. Normally, a woman captures at least 10 baby movements within 15-20 minutes. If the baby has not moved in an hour, then it is worth drinking sweet tea, eating a bun and repeating the calculations (maybe the baby is just sleeping or being lazy). An alarming sign is less than 10 fetal movements in 12 hours (the baby may have hypoxia). It doesn't have to be something terrible. Perhaps the baby just turned his back to the anterior wall of the uterus, or just sleeps. But it's better to be safe. The doctor will listen to the fetal heartbeat, prescribe and, in case of doubt, send you for an ultrasound scan.

In the last trimester of pregnancy, the nervous system of the baby is formed so well that the fetus can already respond to the emotional state of the mother. Therefore, your baby will definitely feel any negative emotions, and this will be reflected in his behavior in the stomach. Foreign authors have written a lot about the "prenatal education" of the baby. Since the fetus is sensitive to the touch of the abdomen and the mother's voice, these tools should be used to establish contact with him. Start using voice and tactile touches on the belly from early in pregnancy, and soon the baby will be able to respond to them. Rhythmic stroking of the abdomen and a calm song performed by the mother will calm the baby and give him peace of mind.

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Pregnancy is a wonderful time in a woman's life. The time when she blossoms becomes truly beautiful, because she carries under her heart the most precious thing in her life - her child. After these expected two strips on the test, perhaps the most long-awaited is the first movement of the fetus during pregnancy. Probably, just when a pregnant woman feels her baby for the first time, she already truly believes and is imbued with the fact that life lives inside her. It's like a small miracle ... Of particular importance are still quite timid, the first tremors of the crumbs.

The beginning of the movements

The beginning of fetal movement during pregnancy does not have a strictly defined time. Every woman is different and every pregnancy is different. The first movements depend on several factors:

From what the pregnancy is.

Features of the attachment of the placenta.

Fetal position.

The constitution of a pregnant woman.

Features of individual sensitivity.

The lifestyle and physical activity of a pregnant woman (those women who are active during pregnancy and move a lot during the day often simply do not notice the very slight movements and movements of the child).

Emotional and moral state.

Of course, there are certain limits, and usually the movement of the fetus during pregnancy begins to be noticeable from about 19-20 weeks if a woman is expecting her first child. Multiparous women begin to feel the first tremors from 17-18 weeks. However, it has long been noted that these limits set by medicine do not always correspond to reality. Some women, regardless of the pregnancy, may begin to feel the first movements as early as 15 weeks. And this fact only proves that each person is individual. Despite the sensations of a woman, the child begins to move already from the 12th week of intrauterine life, when he develops arms and legs. But he is still quite tiny, so his movements are still invisible. The baby is constantly growing, getting bigger, and his movements are becoming more tangible.

Fetal movement during pregnancy: sensations and signs

It seems that these feelings can not be compared with anything. But in fact, recognizing the first movement of the fetus during pregnancy is not so easy, because they are easy to confuse with intestinal motility or fermentation of gases. That is why many future mothers often cannot name the first date when they began to feel the movements of their child inside them. This is not critical, but gynecologists strictly monitor the development of the fetus, including its physical activity. In a special exchange card there are tables where the beginning of movements and the further activity of the child should be recorded. Even a special formula has been developed by which you can roughly calculate the date of birth, focusing on the date of the first movements, but it does not always give the correct result.

The movement of the fetus, especially during the first pregnancy, is one of the most long-awaited manifestations of the activity of the child, and all women describe the sensations arising from this in different ways. One describes her feelings as if she is being stroked from the inside, the other compares with tickling, and the third can feel already active pokes and pushes. If you listen to your body, then in the feeling of rolling, transfusion inside, you can clearly recognize the movements of the baby. Some expectant mothers often do not even know the delights of feeling the first pushes of their child, because they think that it is the intestines that have played out.

Feelings largely depend on the structural features of the woman's body. The constitution of the future mother plays a big role. Thin women begin to feel the movements of the child much earlier than those who are prone to fullness. Very early fetal movement during pregnancy may indicate a high sensitivity of the expectant mother.

Why are fetal movements felt?

Any expectant mother is interested in the question of what sensations are considered physiological. There is no single answer, since much depends on individual physical characteristics.

During pregnancy, the fetus performs swimming movements in the amniotic fluid. The child gradually grows, his limbs begin to develop, with which he moves, which the expectant mother feels. Movement is a sure sign that the baby is alive and developing, which means that the pregnancy is progressing.

Fetal movement during pregnancy: reviews

Probably, almost any pregnant woman wants to hear what other women feel. Some of the stories are simply amazing.

It happens that women confuse the first movements with the feeling of vibration of the phone in their pocket. At the same time, when they see that no one is calling them, they do not immediately guess what caused their delusion.

Others say they felt as if someone was running a finger over them from the inside, as if through a soft blanket. Even expectant mothers compare themselves to an aquarium, noticing as if fish are swimming inside them.

And, of course, it does not do without butterflies in the stomach. They say that it is the feeling of their fluttering that can be the baby moving.

First pregnancy

The first movement of the fetus during the first pregnancy, according to statistics, is felt on average at 20 weeks. The later sensitivity in primiparous women is due to the fact that the uterus experiences such loads for the first time, its muscles are not prepared for them and are less sensitive than those of women who have already gone through the path of pregnancy and childbirth.

Second and subsequent pregnancies

Multiparous women usually begin to feel the first movements of their baby a little earlier than ladies who are pregnant for the first time. As mentioned earlier, this is due to the fact that the muscles of the uterus after the first pregnancy and childbirth become more sensitive from an anatomical point of view. From the point of view of the sensations of the woman herself, her sensitivity is due to the fact that, having once experienced the feeling of the first movements, she already knows what to prepare for and what these sensations are. That is why multiparous women most often do not confuse the first movements with intestinal motility. Terms vary, but on average it is about 16-17 weeks. There is some strength in the assertion that with each subsequent pregnancy you begin to feel tremors earlier. For example, some expectant mothers claimed to have felt the first fetal movement during their third pregnancy as early as 13 weeks!

What determines the activity of perturbations

A growing fetus during wakefulness moves almost constantly. Up to 200 or more movements at the moment when the expectant mother begins to feel the first tremors. From about the middle of the second trimester, the child moves more and more intensively. But the more it grows, the less space remains for it, therefore, the ability to actively move is minimized, and by the end of the gestation period, the baby usually completely calms down.

The highest peak of activity is reached in the evening and at night, when the pregnant woman is at rest. Children are very sensitive to the emotional and physical state of the mother, and if she is frightened, worried or stressed, then the child may also be restless, which will be expressed in strong shocks, or, conversely, may completely calm down. What should be the movement of the fetus during pregnancy? The norm is such that the movements of the crumbs should not cause pain to the mother even with the strongest shocks. Otherwise, you should contact the doctor observing the pregnancy.

Hunger can also force a child to move strongly. If suddenly the expectant mother decided to keep her figure and thus not give the child enough to eat, this can cause a whole riot inside her. Given that children already hear everything perfectly in the womb, too loud music or other sounds can make them move. It is important here that the expectant mother monitor the baby's reaction to certain stimuli, situations and the atmosphere surrounding her as a whole. Normally, the child should move about ten times an hour.

The movement of the fetus during pregnancy is very important to calculate and enter in a special table in the exchange card, since these data can tell a lot about the condition of the child and its development. Doctors are guided not only by the growing uterus and stomach. First of all, the motor activity of the fetus indicates that he is alive, which, you see, is the most important thing. Several methods of calculation have been developed.

Cardiff Method

A pregnant woman should count movements for 12 hours. It doesn't matter what time of day you start counting. The norm is 10 movements or more in one hour. If their number does not reach the norm, then the expectant mother urgently needs to consult her doctor, since the child’s weakened motor activity or its absence may indicate serious problems in its development or even be a threat of miscarriage.

Pearson's technique

More complex with respect to the Cardiff technique. The tracking period starts strictly at 9 am and continues for 12 hours. In this case, it is forbidden to transfer any loads. The pregnant woman should be at rest. Be sure to record every movement and record the exact time of the 10th push. If the movements of the child are low-intensity, then the pregnant woman should provoke them herself (you can eat something sweet or climb the stairs). After that, you need to see if the activity of the fetus increases. If activity does not increase, then you should consult a doctor.

Sadowski's technique

It is necessary to track and record movements in the period from 19 to 23 hours, strictly after eating. A prerequisite is the position of a woman. The pregnant woman should lie exactly on the right side. If there are no more than 10 movements in two hours, it is considered that this is a very low fetal activity, it is also recommended to immediately consult a doctor.

Fetal movements according to the strength of activity

Every pregnant woman must strictly monitor her condition and her child. Usually, by about 25-28 weeks, the expectant mother can already navigate her baby's routine, so a sharp change in his activity should be alarming. The movement of the fetus during the first pregnancy should be especially carefully monitored, because the primiparous woman is still new to the sensations of the child's motor activity.

You should immediately consult a doctor if there is no movement for ten hours in a row. The absence of tremors or weak activity may indicate that the child is developing oxygen starvation. The most common reason for this is the squeezing of the umbilical cord, in which the baby could get confused while actively moving. Anomalies of the placenta and umbilical cord, as well as hemolytic disease, may develop. The exact reasons for the lull will be determined only by a specialist.

Too frequent fetal movement during pregnancy can also be a signal that the baby is developing oxygen deficiency. Here it is worth noting that the trite uncomfortable posture of the mother can cause active movements of the baby. In order to make sure that everything is in order with the child, if his physical activity differs sharply from the usual, in any case, you need to contact the doctor observing the pregnancy.

It is very important for the expectant mother to realize and understand that during pregnancy she becomes one with her child, so it is imperative to establish contact and in no case lose it, always listening to your child. This will allow a pregnant woman to control the condition of her child and the course of pregnancy in general.