Fetal movement
First, fetal movements are relatively rare and barely noticeable, gradually increasing and becoming stronger so that women can clearly distinguish between fetal movements and other body functions.
Number of daily movements expected
The average number of daily fetal movements gradually increases from approximately 200 daily movements in the 20th week of gestation to an average of 570 in the 32 week, and gradually decreases to about 280, due to the child’s growth while remaining in a narrow area, Movements from day to day.
These differences are normal. However, low fetal movements significantly may indicate fetal distress. Fetal movements vary during the day. The fetus has a full cycle of being awake and asleep. The fetus can sleep for 10-30 minutes and wake up and so on. A pregnant woman with twins has a higher fetal movement rate than normal pregnancy.
Determinants of fetal movement
- Fetal activity, each embryo has its own pace.
- Duration and duration of fetal sleep.
- Age of pregnancy.
- The movement of pregnant women plays a role in fetal movement.
- Drugs received by pregnant women: There are some medications that pass through the placenta and affect the activity of the fetus.
- High noise, bright lights, and external contact can cause fetal movement.
- Fetal health – In cases such as pre-eclampsia, diabetes or other diseases, the fetus may suffer from it and can cause this decrease and weakness in its activity.
- Keeping the number of fetal movements daily is one of the methods used to track the condition of the fetus. This allows you to be part of observing and checking your child’s movements.
Calculate fetal movements
- Count fetal movements three times a day: morning, noon and night.
- If you feel four or more moves within 30 minutes you can stop until the next count.
- If you feel less than four movements within 30 minutes of counting, you should continue counting for four hours, and at this time you should feel at least ten movements.
- If you feel at least ten movements within four hours you can stop counting until the next count.
- If you feel within four hours of less than ten movements or feel no activity at all, you should go to the hospital for further tests such as heart rate and ultrasound.
It is important to remember that if the number of fetal movements suddenly decreases, especially if the movements become weak after being strong, this warns that there is something wrong requires a doctor. Counting fetal movements during the day is a great way to monitor the condition of the fetus, especially for women with high risk pregnancies, it is easy to do, inexpensive, but depends on the mother’s will and directions received.