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The onset of fetal movement during the first pregnancy. Baby movements during the first pregnancy: when they start and what they look like

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The first movement of the fetus during pregnancy; one of the most anticipated moments of a young mother. The blossoming of new life in the womb begins to be felt in the second trimester. It is very important to fix the first intrauterine push. He will tell the mother and the gynecologist about the exact date of the baby's birth. If this is the first pregnancy for a girl, it is worth expecting a child 20 weeks after the first sensations of stirring.

The fetus begins to move at 8-9 weeks. But these movements are not felt by the expectant mother in any way, due to the fact that the embryo is too small. To see how the future baby accidentally touches the walls of the uterus, only ultrasound will allow. Active fetal movement during pregnancy begins at 16-24 weeks.

Thinner expectant mothers feel light tremors much earlier than fuller women. In addition, early stirring in many is due to a high threshold of sensitivity. So don't worry if your toddler is running late. This means that he simply did not gain the desired body weight. With the increase in size, every movement of the baby is felt better.

How to recognize movement

There is no general description of fetal movements. Both doctors and mothers define these feelings differently. Some describe it poetically, likening the movement to the flapping of a butterfly's wings. Someone says that the sensations are like stroking or tickling from the inside. Other tremors resemble gurgling. Every woman is different. But it happens that this “gurgling” brings unbearable pain due to the strong activity of the fetus.

Why do some women move the fetus with more force, while others have less? Many explain this by the fact that the character of the unborn baby is already formed during pregnancy. Mom feels a mobile toddler already at such early stages of his life. But for the most part, very active stirring informs a woman about some intrauterine problems, so it is very important for a pregnant woman to control these sensations.

Too sharp and prolonged jolts “say” that the baby does not like something. If the child’s behavior does not change when changing positions, and the movements of the fetus bring pain for several hours, consult a doctor.

To calm the frisky behavior of the fetus, it is necessary to change the position. With such lunges, the baby reacts to the uncomfortable position of the mother, especially when lying down. For example, it is contraindicated for pregnant women to lie on their back for such a period! It is worth turning over, and the little one calms down.
If the movements are too rare and sluggish, it is recommended to eat something sweet. Carbohydrates with blood flow will quickly reach the child and recharge it with new forces.

The number of movements at various stages of pregnancy

From about 25 weeks, the fetus, according to the norms, should move at least 10 times per hour. Your baby, just like you, takes some poses and changes positions. Hence the "bubbling" feeling. If you begin to feel rhythmic jolts, don't worry, the baby is having hiccups. This process will not cause any harm to the child, you will soon get used to it. During this period, hiccups can be repeated several times a day.

Be sure to lead. In the future, you can refer to it to understand why your child is moving. Write down every little thing from 21 weeks. Recognition of your voice, the voices of other family members, the reaction to loud sounds, to a pleasant melody - your little one already feels all these sounds with you.
Sometimes the movements may disappear altogether. This means that the fetus fell asleep. Such phenomena usually do not last more than three hours. It is also not uncommon for your unborn child to make itself felt at night. The nascent life itself decides at what time to be awake and at what time to rest.

A baby can perform up to 500 different movements per day. This is mainly observed from 28 to 32 weeks. You won't feel any movement. Many factors influence their palpability: the amount of amniotic fluid, the thickness of the abdominal wall, the position of the fetus and placenta, as well as the mobility of the child and the sensitivity of the pregnant woman herself.

From the 32nd week, activity begins to decrease, but from that moment on, its position in the uterus is already determined by the movement of the fetus. It's just that the size of the baby at this time increases greatly, and the uterus - slightly. If the baby is in the breech presentation, you will feel the main shocks in the lower abdomen. If the tremors are above the navel - head presentation.

At the end of the last trimester, fetal movements become rare, but do not disappear completely. If the mother does not feel any movement within 12 hours, you should consult a doctor.

Symptoms and methods for determining hypoxia in the fetus

Too much lethargy or violentness of the baby's body movements in most cases indicates oxygen starvation. The causes of hypoxia are different: cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, fetal malformations and much more. To identify the disease, an ultrasound or cardiotocography is performed.

The cardiotocography procedure is an examination of the heartbeat. For an hour, the device measures your baby's heart rate. The norm is considered to be a changing rhythm from 120 to 160 beats per minute. In severe hypoxia, the mark drops to 90 beats. If this disease is detected for a period of more than 30 weeks, the woman is given a caesarean section.

To identify such violations on their own, a pregnant woman needs to use the "Count to 10" technique. From about 28 weeks, between 9 and 21 hours, a woman should count the movements. The tenth in a row is recorded in a special card. If within 12 hours the number of shocks exceeds 15, or vice versa, the fetus is inactive, consult a specialist.

Fetal movement during second pregnancy

The first baby starts to move at 20 weeks. But what if you are expecting a second or third baby? This period, according to women, begins a little earlier. It is difficult to say exactly when the first movement will occur. Each organism is individual. Someone gains weight very quickly, someone slowly. The time limit for the start of movement is still 16-24 weeks. But when your baby shows himself - it's up to him.

Obstetricians claim that the mother feels the first movement during a second pregnancy 2-3 weeks earlier. But this only means that the feelings of the pregnant woman are aggravated, and the lived experience helps to more accurately determine the movement.

It happens that a nulliparous girl is misled by her own intestines. This is normal. In the first months of the birth of a new life, the whole organism is rebuilt. 15-20 weeks is a time of rapid change in the functionality of the intestines, which is very easy to confuse with the activity of the baby. A woman giving birth is able to distinguish peristalsis from the tremors of a child.

Remember, your main task during any pregnancy is to maintain a good mood, enjoy every movement, control your health and monitor nutrition. Pregnancy is fleeting, not many have the opportunity to repeat such an experience. Arrange family evenings, the unborn child will be happy to listen to a fairy tale from dad or a lullaby from mom. Don't miss the most touching moments.

The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials of the article do not call for self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can make a diagnosis and give recommendations for treatment based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.

Fetal movement is one of the most exciting moments in the entire pregnancy. What do you need to know about it?

This amazing moment comes during pregnancy for every woman. At first, it is easy to confuse it with intestinal motility or muscle tension in the abdominal walls, but over time, the movements become stronger and more distinct.

The importance lies in the fact that the severity and activity of movements are diagnostic criteria for the health of the unborn child. Even in the last century, diagnostic tests were created that, using fetal motility, can detect hypoxia and fetoplacental insufficiency.

But how to correctly interpret these results? What factors affect the motor skills of the baby in the womb?

First fetal movements

The nervous system of the embryo begins to form at the 6th week of pregnancy. Already at the 7-8th week, involuntary movements are recorded, but during this period the embryo is still too small (its length is only 15-22 mm), so the woman does not feel these movements. At the 10-11th week, centers of motor regulation are formed in the brain. Then the first voluntary muscle contractions occur.

After the development of the placenta in the first trimester, the fetus is in "free swimming" in the amniotic fluid, which protects it from infectious, temperature and mechanical factors. It can independently push off the walls of the uterus, but because of its size and low strength, the pregnant woman does not feel these tremors.

The turning point comes at 16-22 weeks. The unborn child reaches a size of 18-22 cm, and its weight increases sharply to 150-300 g. It begins to respond to external stimuli (sound, mechanical).

What affects the duration of the sensation of the first stirring

For the first time, the sensation of fetal movements is noted in pregnant women at various times. Why is this happening? This is influenced by a number of factors:

  1. Features of the constitution of the body. In women who are overweight or overweight, this occurs more often at 21-22 weeks. Fat deposits in the abdominal cavity act as a shock absorber for the movements of the child. Thin pregnant women notice movement already at the 18-19th week.
  2. During the first pregnancy, women usually feel movements later than with subsequent ones. This is due to the fact that after childbirth, the tone of the anterior abdominal wall decreases and the sensations of fetal movements are already familiar to the woman. Therefore, during the second pregnancy, she notes them about two weeks earlier.
  3. The number of fruits. With multiple pregnancies, the mother can feel their movements from the 16th week (or even earlier).
  4. Mother's expectation. If a pregnant woman purposefully waits for the baby to move and constantly listens to herself, then she notes them a little earlier.

How does it feel to stir

The motor activity of the fetus is captured by mechanoreceptors, which are located on the walls of the abdominal cavity and on the internal organs. Therefore, at first its symptoms are non-specific. Women often describe wiggling as a “butterfly fluttering” or “fish swimming” sensation in the abdomen. Also, the movements of the child are confused with the motor activity of the intestine.

From the 22nd week, the movement becomes more noticeable. It is felt as pressure or "kicks" in various parts of the abdomen, the intensity of which increases over time. In the second trimester, the baby can freely change its location in the uterus. When turning over, you can notice a change in the external configuration of the abdomen. Sometimes a footprint is clearly visible.

In the third trimester of pregnancy, the fetus grows to 40-50 cm in length and takes a more stable position. His thrusts can be painful, as he often touches the bladder, liver, or stomach with his limbs.

Factors of physical activity

The fetus, while in the uterus, is able to respond to various external and internal stimuli. Its motor activity depends on the following factors:

  1. Times of Day. Many pregnant women note that their child is most active in the evening or at night.
  2. Relationship with nutrition. Often motor activity increases after the mother's dinner, or, conversely, when she is hungry.
  3. Voices of familiar people. Experiments have confirmed that the fetus from the second trimester can recognize the voices that he often hears. They can calm him down, or, conversely, activate him.
  4. extraneous noise. Sharp sounds stimulate movement.
  5. The psychoemotional state of the mother. During stress, excitement, feeling of fear or depression of the mother, the child may experience hypo- or hyperdynamia.
  6. Uncomfortable position of the mother and physical exercise. More often the child moves at rest or when he is uncomfortable.

Movement rate

The activity of the child in the womb gradually increases. On the 20th week, on average, he makes 160-180 movements, and the maximum number is observed on the 28-30th week - 500-600. In the third trimester, their number decreases somewhat due to the small amount of free space. Naturally, the mother feels only the most powerful shocks of the fetus.

At what time is it desirable to start monitoring the frequency of movements of the child? Experts recommend doing this from the 28th week. A woman is given special forms with tables where she writes down her observations. Medical personnel must explain to the pregnant woman how to do this correctly, in what situations one should not panic and when to see a doctor.

How long should I worry if there is no movement? Almost all patients feel fetal movements until the end of the 22nd week. But if this does not happen, then it is better to contact your gynecologist.

Movement and cardiotocography

Cardiotocography is a non-invasive ultrasound method for diagnosing fetal heart rate. The norm of this indicator is 120-160 beats per minute. It is carried out as planned in the second and third trimester of pregnancy after examination by a gynecologist.

An important diagnostic value is the motor-cardiac reflex, which appears in the fetus from the 28th week. During conventional cardiotocography, simultaneous monitoring of motor activity is carried out. A pregnant woman is given a remote control with a button that she presses when the baby moves. At these moments, the heart rate on ultrasound for more than 10 seconds increases by 15-30 beats per minute.

If the child remained calm all the time of the examination, then the pregnant woman is asked to walk around the office a little.

The absence of a motor-cardiac reflex indicates the development of fetoplacental insufficiency, which is accompanied by impaired blood supply to the fetus.

Table of movements

In gynecological practice, a table of movements is used, in which the pregnant woman enters her observations of the motor activity of the fetus. There are several varieties of it:

  1. Pearson table("Count to ten") is the most commonly used. Observation is carried out from 9 am to 9 pm. In this case, it is necessary to record the time of the 10th stirring in a special table (for example, 12:30).
  2. Cardiff method. The woman independently chooses the time for observation (but also 12 hours) and fixes when the 10th movement occurred, the time of which is recorded on a special form.
  3. Sadowski's technique. A pregnant woman lies on her left side after dinner (these factors contribute to increased motor activity). Within four hours, she should feel more than 10 separate shocks.

When using the Pearson or Cardiff methods, the pregnant woman can carry out daily activities, but without excessive physical exertion.

anxiety symptoms

There are a number of situations when a pregnant woman should immediately seek medical help:

  • there is no physical activity of the child for more than six hours;
  • fetal tremors suddenly weakened sharply and began to occur much less often;
  • against the background of physical inactivity, there was a sharp pain in the abdomen, blood or purulent discharge from the genital tract appeared;
  • Your water broke prematurely or contractions started.

If during cardiotocography a decrease in fetal motor activity is detected, there is no motor-cardiac reflex, the pregnant woman is recommended to be hospitalized in the pathology department, where additional studies are carried out (blood tests, dopplerography, amniocentesis, and others), supportive therapy is prescribed. Since the goal is to save the life of the mother and child, the possibility of premature birth (by caesarean section) is discussed.

When there's no reason to worry

Sometimes the fetus can swallow amniotic water, which provokes rhythmic contractions of the diaphragm (hiccups), which the mother feels. This is an absolutely safe state.

You should not panic if there is no active movement for several hours. The baby can sleep at this time. His daily rhythm often does not coincide with the mother's.

If he is too active at night and prevents the woman from resting, then it is better to adapt to the rhythm of the child. A few hours of daytime sleep will allow you to fully restore strength.

During the first pregnancy, active fetal movement is often noted, which brings significant discomfort or pain to the pregnant woman. There is no risk of injury or dysfunction of the digestive or urinary system. This is not a harbinger of preterm labor. Pregnant women are advised to choose a comfortable position (on their side), use loose clothing, pillows and orthopedic mattresses.

The most anticipated, and therefore unforgettable, is the feeling of stirring under the heart of a new life. Future moms and dads are waiting for him with trepidation. Also gynecologists. You will definitely be asked to write down the date of the first movement, and they will already be guided by it to the date of birth. If you are expecting the first baby, then he will be born 20 weeks after the first movement (usually childbirth occurs at the 40th week of pregnancy), and if the second or third, then 2-3 weeks later. At least there are such statistics, but not all women fall under it. As a rule, the first fetal movements occur between the 16th and 24th weeks of pregnancy.

Although in fact the fetus moves already at the 8th week, but since it is still too small, you do not feel it. But later, when the baby grows up, his "gymnastics" will make itself felt with all its might.

How to know that this is a stir?

It can be difficult and easy to understand at the same time. Doctors describe this phenomenon in very different ways, and mothers themselves cannot find the right words. You have to feel the movement yourself. And it’s not a fact that, having felt, you will correctly explain the experienced state to your girlfriend “by position”.

A gynecologist (male) told me poetically about the movement: “Imagine that a butterfly has landed in your hands. You hold her, and she beats her wings in her hands.

Mom's explanations were more prosaic: something would gurgle.

I was impatiently waiting for butterflies in my stomach, but I still got a “gurgle”. But he was the most pleasant and most unforgettable of all the “gurgles”.

Each woman perceives in her own way. For some, this is the splashing of a fish, the fluttering of a butterfly, and for others, intestinal peristalsis. But in both cases, we are talking about the confirmation of a new life. Many pregnant women perceive themselves as a mother after the first movement.

It happens that impatiently waiting for the first stirring, with the same impatience, mommy waits for its cessation. Babies in the tummy are so active that their movements cause unbearable pain to a pregnant woman.

What determines the mobility of the child in the womb?

Many believe that the character of the baby is already formed in the tummy. Here is the answer for you: a too mobile toddler will make itself felt right away. Although this is not always the case. Often the movements of the baby are not evidence of his temperament, but of well-being, development and health. Therefore, the task for a pregnant woman is very responsible: to analyze every step of her little one, to learn to understand and feel it. Any deviations from your joint normal life should be recorded.

The rate of movement during pregnancy

There are no single "normal" indicators. Although it is generally accepted that, starting from the 25th week of pregnancy, the baby should move at least 10 times per hour.

What do fetal movements indicate?

Movement is life. And even in the womb. Have you already observed your little one with the help of ultrasound? This is a little man with arms, legs, a heart ... With a bad and good mood, in a comfortable, or not very, position. So how can he tell you about all this? Naturally - pushes.

A very common occurrence. Experts say that it does not pose any danger to the baby and does not cause him discomfort. But here mommy will feel it in the form of rhythmic shocks inside herself. These episodes can occur up to several times a day.

Remember. This will also help you understand why your baby is moving. Often it requires your attention as early as 21 weeks. Recognizing your voice, the voice of dad, distinguishing between loud sounds and gentle melody, reacting to light, he will naturally let you know about his feelings and preferences. Undoubtedly, many mothers who have already taken place return with nostalgia to their “pregnant” days. We remember very well how the baby calmed down in the womb if the mother was upset or angry ... And how carefully he reminded himself when the storm of emotions subsided ... And who does not remember the “dance” nights! Barely dragging her legs to the bed, the expectant mother plunges into the long-awaited relaxation, and ... it wasn’t there! In the stomach, the period of wakefulness begins! The kid still lives according to his schedule and is not going to take into account your adjustments.

A baby can perform up to 500 different movements per day. Of course, you won't hear everything. After all, the perceptibility of movements depends on many factors: the amount of intrauterine fluid, the thickness of the abdominal wall, the position of the child and the placenta, the mobility of the baby, the sensitivity of the mother.

Starting from the 32nd week of pregnancy, by moving the baby, you can determine the position of the fetus in the uterine cavity. If he is in a breech presentation, you will feel tremors in the lower abdomen. And if the little one “stomps” above the navel, then the presentation is head. By the end of pregnancy, the baby is also preparing for the birth. His movements are already rarer, but by no means absent.

The absence of any movements for more than 12 hours is a serious reason to see a doctor.

In addition, you will need to consult a gynecologist if the child's movements are too rare, lethargic or, conversely, violent, painful. In any case, this indicates the suffering of the fetus. Most often, this condition is caused by oxygen starvation. That's just experts disagree on how to distinguish this pathology. Some believe that during hypoxia the fetus becomes too violent, while others - on the contrary. However, regardless of how your baby lets you know that he is not getting enough oxygen - take into account his signals. After all, hypoxia often causes fetal death. The causes of hypoxia are very different: diabetes mellitus, anemia, cardiovascular disease, fetal disease, and much more. Only a doctor can confirm or refute such a diagnosis. To do this, ultrasound is usually performed, heart sounds are heard, and CTG is also performed.

Cardiotocography is a very informative method for assessing the condition of the fetus. During this examination, the baby's heartbeat is recorded for 1 hour. The norm is considered not monotonous, but variable heart rate, which ranges from 120 to 160 beats per minute. In severe fetal hypoxia, the heart rate is up to 90 beats per minute. In this case, an immediate caesarean section is performed if the pregnancy is more than 30 weeks.

Many doctors recommend that pregnant women do fetal movement tests themselves. D. Pearson's test is widespread: "Count to ten." It should be carried out from the 28th week of pregnancy. From 9 o'clock in the morning to 9 o'clock in the evening they count the movements. The time of the 10th perturbation is recorded daily on a special card. If your baby is inactive, contact your doctor.

Usually violent or weak stirring lends itself to “persuasion” and “training”. It is believed that the baby reacts sharply to the uncomfortable position of the mother. Especially recumbent. And as soon as she rolls over, the child calms down.

If, on the contrary, you need to stir up the little one, they recommend eating something sweet. After all, carbohydrates are the first and very quickly into the bloodstream. The kid gets a portion of dessert and it makes him cheer up.

Still, your main task is to maintain a good mood. Never panic count every flip and push. Enjoy communication with your angel. Give him as much attention as possible, take care of your health, watch your diet, daily routine. Have family get-togethers. The kid will be happy to listen to a fairy tale from dad, a lullaby from mom. Let the stirring of your unborn baby bring only joy. After all, this state is fleeting and nothing can return it to you. Don't miss the most touching moment of your life!

Specially for- Tanya Kivezhdiy

The first sensations of the movements (movements) of the child are like a long-awaited greeting for the mother. Like: "I grew up, let's talk." Everyone dreams of feeling this greeting as soon as possible. The movement of the baby lets us know not only that he is cramped, that he has grown enough and can touch the walls of the uterus. This is now a special language in which he will communicate with his mother until the very birth. That is why it is so important for the expectant mother to know and understand what certain changes in the behavior of her child can indicate.

Norms of the first sensations of a baby moving

The embryo begins to move from the 7-8th week of pregnancy, when, in the process of the formation of the nervous system, a chaotic contraction of individual muscle fibers occurs. At 10-12 weeks, the fetus (and it is correct to call it that from the 9th week of life) actively moves in the fetal bladder. But the fetus is so small (at 15-16 weeks of pregnancy your baby weighs only about 100 g), and there is still so much free space in the uterus that it is simply impossible for a woman to feel these movements.

Previously, there was such an opinion that if you add another 20 weeks from the time when the baby begins to move, then you will find out the due date. Yes, there is such a way to calculate the date of birth among gynecologists, but it is not informative enough. So it makes no sense to use only them. There are more accurate ways to determine when your baby will be born. Therefore, consider fetal movement simply as a physiological phenomenon and a kind of indicator of well-being. In fact, having felt it, the expectant mother calms down and realizes that the baby is alive, developing, and everything is in order with him.

A woman who is preparing to become a mother for the first time feels the first stirring of a child a little later than a multiparous woman. This happens around 18-20 weeks of gestation. Women who have already experienced the joy of motherhood can hear such a greeting from their baby at 16-18 weeks of pregnancy. But these terms are average. Everything is individual, there may be slight deviations from the terms I have named.

But it is important to understand that small deviations are possible. If a woman before the 24th week of pregnancy did not hear the movement of the fetus, then you should not panic, but you need to show concern. She should tell her gynecologist about this. If the doctor deems it necessary, he will send her to an extraordinary ultrasound. As a rule, if the second screening ultrasound, which is performed at about 20-22 weeks of pregnancy, did not show abnormalities, then there is no cause for concern. Your gynecologist will explain all this to you at the appointment.

The peak activity of fetal movements occurs just in the period from the 24th to the 32nd week of pregnancy. The activity of a growing baby during this period is an integral indicator of a normal pregnancy.

Why is everything so individual with the first sensations?

It all depends on the individual sensitivity of the woman (“height of the pain threshold”). And also from the constitution (body and weight features) of the expectant mother, the weight of the child, the placenta attachment, the position of the fetus. Corpulent (chubby, in other words) mothers, as a rule, feel the movement of their baby later than thin women.

It has been noticed that active, busy working women can hear the baby move a little later. Due to their employment, such women listen less to their feelings and are not inclined to an in-depth analysis of minimal changes and sensations. That is, a busy mother may simply not notice the first cautious movements.

It can be not only busyness or inattention. With the position of the child, when his legs and arms are directed towards the sacrum of the mother, his pushes will fall on the back wall of the uterus. And for the mother, they will be less noticeable.

Each woman has her own, individual description of her feelings of the first stirring. Some have poetic and romantic descriptions: "a butterfly flutters." Others simply and concisely: "something gurgled." For some, this is comparable to the peristaltic wave of the intestines (our intestines are constantly moving in waves). More often than not, this is confused. For some, this is like pushing a fish against the wall of an aquarium. Someone compares the first movements with the touch of the wings of a butterfly. Someone feels "trembling", "tickling" from the inside.

Perhaps your sensations will not be similar to any of the above, will become new in the description of these touches. Share them in the comments to this article.

At first, the baby's movements will be rare, not even daily, barely perceptible, spilled, without a clear localization. As the fetus grows and space in the uterus shrinks, the tremors become more frequent and stronger. By about 20-22 weeks, they become more tangible, clear. Even dad can feel them when he puts his hand on mom's stomach. By the movements of the baby, by the 26th week of pregnancy, the mother can already understand whether the baby is pushing her arms or legs, bending or unbending them, or he turned and touched the wall of the uterus sideways and back.

What does the different intensity of movements of the baby indicate?

By the 20th week of pregnancy, the number of fetal movements reaches 200 per day, and by the 25th week - already 600 movements. Of course, a woman does not feel all these movements. It is considered normal when at 26 weeks of pregnancy a woman feels 10-15 fetal movements per hour.

By 32 weeks, the intensity of movements decreases to about 400 movements per day. During this period, the height and weight of the child does not allow him to roll over and move as freely as before. It is during this period that the baby takes the final position with his head down, which is called head presentation. There are exceptions when the child did not roll over and remained in the position with the legs down. This is a breech presentation.

In the head position of the fetus, the mother will feel the main movements of the fetus in the upper abdomen, and in the pelvic position - in the lower abdomen. Thus, a woman herself can determine in what position her child is in the uterus.

The child still in utero sensitively reacts to the emotional background and mood of the mother. If the mother is nervous, this will also affect the condition of the child. Most often, the reaction is manifested by the excitement of the baby. The child will also react to the prolonged hunger of the mother with excessive activity. And thus tell mom that it's time to eat. To the physical activity of the mother, as a rule, babies react with fading.

The activity of the child also depends on the time of day. Peak daily activity of the child falls on the period from seven in the evening to four in the morning. And the least activity of the fetus is observed in the morning (from four to nine in the morning).

That is, children begin to interfere with their mother's sleep at night even before birth. And, in fact, we can say that this is forever. After all, children are forever. And even if the child is born and will no longer move in the womb, then the mother will not stop worrying about him. And anxiety often keeps you awake at night, even when the kids are big...

Also, babies in the womb react sharply to a prolonged uncomfortable posture of the mother. Almost all pregnant women are surprised that in the position of the mother lying on her back, the baby begins to push harder. There is a scientific explanation for this: in this position, the very heavy uterus tilts back and interferes with the full blood filling of the vessels that feed the uterus and pelvic organs. The child eventually experiences a lack of oxygen. Activating, he tries in this way to tell his mother about his inconvenience.

Different intensity of fetal movements can tell the mother and gynecologist about many changes in the baby's condition. The movements of the baby should not be painful for the mother. If the baby pushes too actively or it causes pain to the mother, this may indicate a pathological course of pregnancy. In this case, it is worth contacting a gynecologist.

It is required to explain that with an acute lack of oxygen (acute hypoxia), the child is activated. The active movements of the child lead to an improvement in blood flow in the vessels of the placenta. Therefore, a child with a large volume of blood will receive more oxygen. Thus, the child tries to communicate about the existing problem or cope with it on his own. An example is given above, where we are talking about the position of the mother lying on her back.

It is worth noting that with chronic hypoxia, the child, on the contrary, becomes less active. Therefore, a formidable sign is the change of active movements to a sharp fading (reduction) of them. That's what mothers should pay attention to in order to timely visit a doctor and diagnose the pathological course of pregnancy. Such phenomena can be observed with low hemoglobin in the mother.

Also, the amount of amniotic fluid in the fetal bladder can affect the change in the sensations of the mother. With oligohydramnios, fetal movements are usually more active, often painful for the expectant mother. With polyhydramnios, fetal movements change to less intense and rare.

Both polyhydramnios and oligohydramnios are a pathology of pregnancy and are manifested mainly by fetal hypoxia. Changes in the nature of fetal movement may be associated with other disorders. And the severity of these changes depends on the severity of the pathology.

The only thing that is required of a pregnant woman is to carefully observe the movements of the child and listen to herself in order to inform the doctor about the changes in time. That is why gynecologists are always interested in a pregnant woman if she feels the baby move and how often. For them, this information is very important.

How and why does the expectant mother need to control the movements of the baby?

To calculate fetal movements in the third trimester of pregnancy (from 28 weeks), there are special methods that, on the recommendation of a gynecologist, the mother conducts on her own.

Pearson's technique consists in counting movements for 12 hours (mandatory from 9.00 to 21.00). This method does not require preparation, but during the procedure, a woman needs to minimize physical activity as much as possible. In a special form or table, a woman enters data on the beginning of the test, the time of the first movement and every 10th subsequent movement of the baby.

The result is considered normal, in which less than an hour passes between the first and tenth stirring. It is worth noting that, of course, periods of activity will be replaced by periods of calm. Since the child can simply sleep for 3-4 hours. But if the period of calm movement lasts more than 6 hours, this is a cause for concern and an urgent visit to the doctor.

Another variation of the 12-hour stir test is the Cardiff method. Unlike the first technique described above, a woman can choose any 12-hour period. At the same time, 10 fetal movements are also evaluated. If a woman has noted 10 movements in less than 12 hours, then there is no reason to worry. Don't be surprised by these numbers. In such an assessment of the results, the peculiarity of the fetal regimen (wakefulness in the evening and night hours, periods of sleep in the morning hours) is taken into account, and that the woman chooses any 12-hour period herself.

The activity of the fetus after eating increases. This moment is taken as the basis of the Sadowski technique. According to this method, the calculation of fetal movements is carried out after dinner (from 19.00 to 23.00). After eating, the woman should take a comfortable position (it is recommended on the left side) and count the movements of the fetus. The ideal result would be when a woman counts 10 movements per hour. The result, when a woman counted 10 fetal movements in more than two hours, is worrisome.

In this case, the gynecologist will definitely prescribe an additional examination for the woman (cardiotocography (CTG), ultrasound with dopplerometry). These methods will help to finally find out if the baby has a lack of oxygen and what causes changes in the activity of the fetus.

Many mothers ask the question: “Are these grandmother’s methods needed today, when there are such accurate instrumental methods for assessing the condition of the fetus?” The advantage of these "grandmother's" methods is that they do not require special preparation for a pregnant woman and costs, are accessible and understandable to every urban or rural woman, do not have side effects and, most importantly, allow you to quickly learn about the existing problem and start a full examination in a timely manner. After all, do not forget that fetal hypoxia leads to intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR).

During pregnancy, a woman needs to remember that the lives of two people depend on her attentiveness to herself. And her special responsible attitude to this stage of life will avoid many health problems in the future.

” №8/2014 02.06.16

Of course, all expectant 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 starts to move before you feel it.

The fetus begins to make the first movements early, already at 7-8 weeks of pregnancy. It was at this time that his first muscles and the beginnings 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, it is still very small, and these blows are very weak, so the expectant mother cannot yet feel them.

2. “Like a fish swam”: during the first pregnancy, fetal movements are felt later

The first movements of the fetus will be soft and as if tickling - as if a fish swam. The expectant mother will be able to feel tangible shocks a little later. If the pregnancy is the first, the first movements of the fetus can be noticed at a period of 18-20 weeks, and with a second pregnancy - at 16-18 weeks (the woman is already familiar with this feeling, she more accurately and earlier determines the movement of the fetus).

In general, the manifestation of the first movements of the fetus is very individual and depends on how sensitive the expectant mother is, as well as on her physique. For example, thin women may feel fetal movements earlier - even at 15-16 weeks, and larger mothers - sometimes after 20 weeks.

Women who lead an active lifestyle, work a lot, usually feel the movements of the fetus later, since with high employment they usually listen less to their inner feelings.

3. From the 24th week, the fetus already “communicates” with the mother with the help of movements

Fetal movements are an indicator of a normal pregnancy, good growth, development and well-being of the baby. At first, when the expectant mother only felt the first movements of the fetus (18–20 weeks), 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. The motor activity of the fetus 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 his mother with the help of movements, respond to the sounds of her voice and emotional state. From the moment of “his growing up”, when the baby began to actively move, he “talks” 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 rejoices, the baby may move more actively or, conversely, calm down for a while. Fetal movements can vary in number 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 down 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 an occasion 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 increase. This becomes especially noticeable at the time of childbirth.

Seek immediate medical attention if:

  • there is no motor activity of the fetus 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 that every expectant mother count the number of fetal movements, 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 get it from your doctor or he will tell you how to make it), the number of fetal movements is noted daily, usually from 28 weeks of pregnancy. The essence of the test of fetal movements is that the expectant mother counts the movements of the fetus 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 - Sadowski 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, it is necessary to take into account all, even the smallest movements of the fetus. If 10 or more fetal movements are noted within an hour, this indicates that the baby feels good. If the fetus moved less than 10 times in an hour, then its movements are counted for the next hour. 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 greatest activity of the fetus is noted. 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 his condition and additional studies should be carried out.

6. Fetal movements can be a little painful.

Sometimes the movements of the baby cause pain to the expectant mother. In this case, she needs to change the position of the body (lie down on the other side, walk, etc.). After that, the discomfort should pass. 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 “get” already in these areas.

7. Nimble baby: why are the fetal movements too active?

The baby can move too actively, as already mentioned, when the emotional state of the future mother changes, in addition, he can react to external noise in this way (from about the 20th week of pregnancy, when the hearing aid was formed and the bones in it began to ossify in order to conduct sound ). Therefore, if the expectant mother comes to an apartment that is being renovated, or watches a movie with strong sound effects in a cinema, she will most likely feel quite frequent tremors in her tummy.

8. What is the oxygen starvation of the fetus?

There is a widespread belief that the increased activity of the fetus is a sign of its 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 increase and intensification of his movements. However, with a prolonged or increasing lack of oxygen, the movements of the little man weaken, and may even stop altogether. Therefore, rare (less than 10 per day), weak fetal movements (especially after 30 weeks) or increased activity after a “quiet period” should cause alarm, which requires urgent consultation with a doctor. If the doctor suspects 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 condition of 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 "cosmonaut" is always on the move

At the 20th week of pregnancy, the fetus makes about 200 movements per day, and between the 28th and 32nd weeks their daily number reaches 600. Naturally, the expectant mother does not feel all the movements of the baby, but only a small part of them. So, after 28 weeks, the frequency of fetal movement, according to the sensations of a woman, is usually 4 to 8 times per hour, with the exception of periods of his sleep (3-4 hours in a row). In the third trimester, a pregnant woman may notice that the baby has certain sleep and wake cycles. Children are usually most active from 19:00 to 4:00 in the morning, and the "rest" period occurs more often from 4 to 9:00 in the morning.

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