Fetal movement is like a heartbeat

Fetal movement refers to the movement of the fetus in the pregnant woman's body. Generally, fetal movement is more obvious at night. If the fetal movement is normal, it means that he is developing well in the uterus and the function of the placenta also provides good nutrition for the fetus. In the later stages of pregnancy, fetal movement can better indicate its condition in the mother's body. If fetal movement is abnormal, pregnant women should perform fetal heart monitoring in a timely manner to ensure the health of the fetus.

1. The feeling of the first fetal movement

Pregnant women who are pregnant for the first time may feel fetal movement for the first time around 18 to 20 weeks. At the beginning, the fetal movement is intermittent, like a butterfly flapping its wings. Gradually, the fetal movements became stronger and more regular.

2.Fetal movement sensation at 20-24 weeks

During these weeks, the fetus's movements will increase. From this time on, and for the next dozen weeks, the fetus will be very active.

3.Fetal movement sensation at 24-28 weeks

The fetus may start to hiccup, so the pregnant woman may occasionally feel her stomach jumping up and down. The amniotic sac of a pregnant woman can now hold up to more than 700 ml of amniotic fluid, and the fetus can move freely inside it. At this time, the fetus can feel some external stimuli. When there is a sudden sound from the outside world, the fetus will jump in the uterus. Generally, starting from the 28th week, the fetus's life rhythm becomes more obvious, and he will have cycles of sleep and wakefulness. Doctors recommend counting fetal movements every day starting from the 28th week as a self-help method to monitor the baby's health.

4.Feeling of fetal movement from 29 to 31 weeks

The amplitude of fetal movement becomes smaller, but pregnant women can feel it more clearly. The amplitude of fetal movement becomes smaller because as the fetus grows, the space in the uterus becomes narrower and the fetus's movement is restricted.

5.Feeling of fetal movement at 32-33 weeks

At this time, the fetal movement will reach its peak. As the fetus grows larger and stronger, from now on, the frequency of fetal movements increases significantly, and the patterns of fetal movement become more varied.

6. Feeling of fetal movement around 36 weeks

At this time, the fetus may have curled up with its head down, in the final position for birth. If this is the first time a woman is pregnant, the muscles in her uterus and abdomen will be tighter, helping the fetus maintain this position. The fetal movements that pregnant women can feel are mainly the fetus poking the pregnant woman's belly with its arms and legs. Sometimes, the fetus may also kick the pregnant woman's ribs and cause pain.

If it is a second pregnancy, the pregnant woman's abdominal muscles may be loose and not as strong, so the fetus may continue to change posture and position, and may even change until the due date.

7. Feeling of fetal movement from 36 to 40 weeks

As the fetus grows larger, the large rolling fetal movements become less frequent. If a fetus is sucking his thumb and suddenly finds that he "can't find" his thumb, his little head will turn from side to side, trying to find his thumb. At this time, the pregnant woman will feel the rapid and sudden fetal movement.

During the last two weeks of pregnancy, your fetal movements may slow down a little and your fetal growth rate may slow down a little. These are all normal.

Abnormal fetal movement

Not all pregnant women need to monitor fetal movements every day, but if the pregnant woman feels that the fetal movement has decreased significantly, she should be informed to actively contact the obstetrician for further fetal monitoring.

If the fetal movement is less than 20 times in 12 hours, it is abnormal; if it is less than 10 times, it indicates that the fetus is in danger and is suffering from hypoxia in the uterus. If the fetal movement exceeds the normal number of times within a period of time, the fetal movement is frequent, or the fetus is restless without interruption, it is also a manifestation of intrauterine hypoxia. A significant decrease in the number of fetal movements until they stop is a sign of severe intrauterine fetal asphyxia. Abnormal fetal movement is caused by pathological conditions and functional disorders, such as a tight umbilical cord around the neck, placental dysfunction, or abnormal medication by pregnant women and adverse external stimuli, which lead to fetal hypoxia in the uterus. When the life of the fetus is threatened, the fetus will experience abnormal fetal movements, not only in frequency but also in nature. For example, strong, continuous pushing and twisting fetal movements or kicking, or even weak fetal movements, are all ominous signs. If you experience abnormal fetal movement, you should seek medical attention promptly. After 28 weeks of pregnancy, fetal movements are mostly in the upper abdomen.