Why does the child kick violently in the stomach? An active baby in the womb: what is considered normal? Active movement of the baby before childbirth

08/18/2017 / Heading: / Mari no comments

Expectant mothers are very worried and afraid to miss the first fetal movement during pregnancy. However, cute pushes are not just a pleasant feeling of oneness with their little miracle, but also an accurate indicator of the correct development and well-being of the baby. Even in the tummy, the baby can quite clearly explain to his mother what he wants. What movements indicate discomfort, and when should you run to the hospital? How to properly keep track of fetal activity?

When did the baby learn to move?

The baby begins to move much earlier than the moment when the mother will feel the first shocks.

Muscular activity is manifested long before the formation of the nervous system, skeleton and other organs. Already on the 21st day of pregnancy, a small heart beats. By the beginning of the 9th week, the nervous system is formed, the first reflexes appear. At the ninth week, the baby swallows amniotic water, which in fact is already a rather complex movement.

It is known from school biology lessons that the musculature of the human face consists of several dozen muscles. He can hiccup. At the 10th week, a small miracle is able to independently change the trajectory of its movement, but is still unnoticed by the mother. At the 16th week of development, the baby is able to distinguish sounds and react to them. Distinguishes in intonation, feels the mood of the mother. A week later, he opens and closes his eyes, blinks.

At the 18th week, the little man already knows a lot:

  • fingering the umbilical cord with tiny handles,
  • clenches and unclenches the fists,
  • touches the head
  • changes the position of the body.

At what stage of pregnancy do babies learn to manipulate their mother and create comfort on their own?

In the course of research, some covered their faces with pens when they heard unpleasant or loud sounds.

In the early stages, the concept of comfort is formed and the understanding comes that it is capable of influencing the intensity of external stimuli. The crumb will make the mother roll over from her back to one side with strong jolts or remind her that it is important to stay calm when the pregnant woman gets nervous.

Movement is the only way to communicate with mom, to communicate your feelings. By the nature and intensity of the movements of the mother and the doctors, they judge the condition of the baby.

How to recognize a baby's first greeting?

From the day when the baby first kicked her mother's tummy, women perceive the fetus as a child, feel like a future mother in full measure. This is what psychologists say.

Mommies are afraid to miss the first fetal movements during the first pregnancy, because they do not know what they look like. But later they say: "... this cannot be confused with anything, it is unforgettable."

Often, pregnant women describe their feelings as follows:

  • an air bubble has risen to the surface;
  • the fish perked up;
  • a butterfly in closed palms is trying to take off;
  • the ball rolled over.

In addition to beautiful poetic comparisons, women most of all attribute the similarity of the baby's first movements to banal flatulence. Since during pregnancy, the digestive system "lives by its own rules" and often "pleases with surprises", mothers can miss the first hesitant tremors of the crumbs, mistaking them for intestinal motility.

You can feel your baby even at the 13th week. When they say that every pregnancy is different, we are talking about all the processes. Doctors draw the attention of mothers to the period of 16-22 weeks of pregnancy, when you should carefully listen to the baby.

20-22 weeks - the period when the baby's movements become more orderly and resemble a newborn. In 30 minutes, a five-month-old man is able to make 20-60 different movements. And if you take into account that the baby has also grown up, then it is impossible to miss the shakes or confuse with something. At this time, the movements become distinct, and primiparous mothers should not be afraid that they will not be able to recognize them.

Important! If the baby does not make itself felt at 22 weeks of gestation, you should see a doctor.

When does the period of perceptible shaking begin?

Starting from the 24th week, the child continuously communicates with the mother in the only way available to him - movement. A pregnant woman learns to understand the baby even before it is born. By the "behavior" of the crumbs, one can judge a lot.

The little man reports joy, anxiety, well-being, discomfort, even his temperament. And he will also be able to "say hello" to dad and loved ones who are looking forward to him. At 6 months, movement is felt on the surface of the tummy.

The movement of the fetus is incredibly pleasant to feel, especially during the first pregnancy, and even the simplest and surest way of self-diagnosis. By decreasing or increasing the activity of the baby, the mother should judge his condition and inform the doctor in time.

Important! Lack of movement for 12 hours is unacceptable. The activity rate for a six-month-old fetus is 10-15 movements per hour, with intervals of 3-4 hours, when the baby is asleep.

Excessive activity can indicate discomfort. The child thus asks the mother to sit down or lie down more comfortably, or vice versa, take a walk. When a woman lies on her back, the fetus compresses large veins and receives less oxygen. Subsequently, the mother may feel intense tremors. The same effect can be observed if you sit for a long time in the "cross-legged" position.

It is enough to roll over on its side or sit down in a more suitable pregnant way: on the edge of a chair, legs slightly apart so that the tummy sits down comfortably. When mommy sits at the computer for a long time or on the road, you need to take breaks and easy feasible gymnastics, stop and get out of the car more often. Otherwise, irritable kicks won't keep you waiting long.

It usually calms down some time after the annoying factor is removed. But if the child drumming tirelessly for several hours or days, the movements deliver pain to the pregnant woman, this should not be tolerated. The doctor can more accurately determine the cause of the restless behavior.

Fidget is maximally mobile during the period of 24-32 weeks. Further, the frequency of movements decreases, but the strength remains the same or increases. The 25th week of pregnancy is the time when the body is fully formed and now it only remains to grow. This means that the tummy house is getting closer and closer. When the abdomen drops and the baby is inserted with the head into the birth canal, it becomes completely uncomfortable to move. It turns out only to stretch the arms or legs.

Many mothers note that before giving birth, the baby completely calms down and prepares to be born. But there are also more temperamental ones who violently react to the constraint of freedom of movement.

Important! In the later stages, the child's movement can cause discomfort and even pain. Most often in the hypochondrium. It's not scary - it's just very cramped for the crumbs.

Why do mothers feel their babies at different times?

Primiparous mothers simply torment themselves with the question: when can you feel the treasured tremors? There are several factors that affect the sensitivity of the mother:

  1. weight - the mother will feel the tremors of a large child earlier;
  2. individual sensitivity;
  3. the constitution of the mother's body - thin mothers feel the movement earlier than those who are gaining weight intensively;
  4. bowel problems;
  5. amniotic fluid volume.

Let the sensations of pregnant women are far from unambiguous, but all children begin to move actively and orderly from 16-18 weeks. Before that, all movements are more like a reflex chaotic muscle contraction.

Important! Late movement is not always a sign of deviation. This is often the result of inaccuracies in calculating the gestational age. With an extended cycle, the difference between obstetric and real terms can be 1-3 weeks. But it doesn't hurt to play it safe and go to the doctor once again.

What is the difference between wiggling during a second pregnancy?

For the second time or during the third pregnancy, the mommy feels her baby 1-3 weeks earlier, which is the only difference. First, it has to do with experience. A woman with knowledge of the matter will no longer confuse the long-awaited tremors with anything else.

Secondly, such sensitivity is also associated with the uterus, which has not fully returned to its original state after the birth of the older child. The abdominal muscles become weaker, so the belly is noticeable much earlier.

If movement is felt only in the lower abdomen

By the location of the pushes, the mother can determine the location of the baby in the tummy. If movement is observed above the navel, then the child is in the correct position with the head down. But the movement in the lower abdomen speaks in favor of the breech presentation, that is, with the legs or buttocks down.

But don't worry. Before 32 weeks, there is a high probability that the baby will roll over on its own. In medical practice, there are cases when babies took the correct position a few days before giving birth. Also, the doctor can help the baby roll over. But even if he is stubborn and does not want to wait for the birth with his head down, then with modern medicine the outcome of childbirth will be positive in any case.

The situation is more complicated with the transverse presentation. The child is in a lying position, that is, the legs and head are on the sides, and the shoulder is facing the birth canal. In such a situation, natural childbirth is excluded. The baby is born by caesarean section. However, there is no need to worry: transverse presentation is a very rare occurrence.

Reduced tone of the muscles of the uterus and abdomen also leads to movement in the lower abdomen. Sometimes this is accompanied by discomfort in the perineal region. Most often observed in mothers with a second pregnancy or more.

Fibroids or fibroma of the uterus make their own adjustments to pregnancy, as they interfere with the baby in a cramped tummy. And if the head does not have enough space next to the neoplasm, then there will be legs.

High water allows the baby to constantly roll over and it is difficult for doctors to predict exactly how the baby is going to be born. But the mother, by wiggling, will understand what position the baby is in.

An insufficient amount of amniotic fluid, on the contrary, constrains movement and the baby may not have time to take the correct position.

How to understand a kid?

There are several methods for counting the number of movements of the baby, which are based on the principle of "count to ten." The only difference is the term and the subject of the study. The most famous are:

  1. Md Pearson;
  2. md Cardiff;
  3. Sadovsky test;
  4. British test.

The first three techniques are most commonly used. D. Pirson's technique is based on maintaining a special calendar of movements starting from the 28th week. Mommy listens to the hairs from 9:00 to 21:00. The time of the tenth movement is recorded in the calendar.

Calculation algorithm:

  1. we fix the time of the first stirring;
  2. movements of any nature other than hiccups are considered: jolts, rolls, coups;
  1. the time of the 10th stirring is entered.

What the results indicate:

  • a twenty-minute interval between the first and 10th stirring signals the correct development of the crumbs;
  • the duration of the study of 30-40 minutes is also acceptable, perhaps the baby was resting or has a calm character;
  • when an hour or more passes from the beginning of counting to the 10th movement, mom should not hesitate to go to the doctor.

For the Cardiff method, the same table can be used. In this case, the key point is the rate of movement in the same time frames 9: 00-21: 00. In other words, if in the allotted 12 hours the crumb reminded of himself at least 10 times, then everything is fine. When the mother does not manage to count the required number of tremors, it means that the baby is feeling unwell.

The Sadowski Method monitors the baby’s reaction to the mother’s meals. A pregnant woman should listen to movements within an hour after eating. If you manage to count 4 or more, then everything is fine.

If the reaction is weak, you need to repeat the study after the next meal.

Important! A deviation of 1.5 times from the norm in one direction or another indicates problems with the baby's health.

Strong movement of the baby often signals hypoxia. In a neglected state, excessive activity is replaced by sluggish expressionless movements.

For timely diagnosis, ultrasound and CTG (cardiotocography) are performed. CTG allows you to assess the baby's heartbeat and make the correct diagnosis. The study lasts about 30 minutes, during which the mother records all the baby's movements using a special sensor. While driving, the frequency should increase by 15-20 beats.

Important! Your baby's heartbeat shouldn't be monotonous. Heart rate ranges from 120 to 160 beats per minute.

Hypoxia is evidenced by:

  • 60-90 beats per minute;
  • monotonous heartbeat;
  • lack of response to movement.

Minor deviations from the norms are corrected by special therapy aimed at improving blood flow in the placenta. Severe hypoxia is an indication for immediate caesarean section, if time permits. Also, mommy can be prescribed dopplerometry. It is recommended to undergo CTG once a week, starting from the 28th week of pregnancy.

Can the baby be moved or reassured?

Mothers note that the baby often "moves" when the mother tries to lie down or sleep. Also, the crumb responds after a delicious dinner. Doctors say that the baby has more energy to move.

Babies enjoy the gentle wiggle in their tummy when shopping or doing household chores. During this time they sleep more often. After birth, this habit persists for a long time. Many have to be lulled for a long time, carried in their arms, rocked in a stroller. And when mommy tries to lie down, the baby, apparently, becomes bored and uninteresting.

To stir up the baby, you can eat something tasty and lie down to rest. Or vice versa, do light gymnastics, take a walk, listen to music, and then relax. The kid will surely please his mother with a friendly kick. In addition, at rest, the mother becomes more sensitive.

Dad's communication with a little miracle is also important. The touch and voice of the dad soothes both the baby and the mom after the stress or excitement. And vice versa, the baby will want to thank dad for communicating and stroking his tummy.

Finally

Panic is not the best advisor in any situation, especially when carrying a beloved child. At whatever stage of pregnancy a woman is, a timely correct decision and awareness of all issues will get rid of most of the problems.

3.2 / 5 ( 9 votes)

Update: October 2018

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

Why is the fetus moving?

The movements of a little man in the womb are necessary, they speak of his growth and development. The child begins to move 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, very 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 handles, knows how to squeeze, unclench his fingers, and touches his face.

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

  • strong, unpleasant, loud sounds;
  • feeling uncomfortable in the womb, such as hunger for the mother;
  • stress experienced by the mother (due to the release of adrenaline, blood vessels, including in the placenta, contract, blood supply deteriorates);
  • oxygen starvation (due to active movements, the placenta is stimulated, its blood supply is enhanced, which provides the child with additional oxygen).

In addition, if a woman takes an uncomfortable posture 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);
  • the complexion of the mother (thin or full);
  • Times of Day;
  • placenta attachment option;
  • 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 period of perturbation is reduced to 18 weeks.

But everything is individual, even for an individual woman, the second, third and subsequent pregnancies proceed in a new way each time. If a woman during the second pregnancy began to feel fetal movement at 19 weeks, then during the third pregnancy these periods may change (felt earlier or later).

The rate of perturbations

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

  • At a period of 20 - 22 weeks, the fetus commits up to 200 movements per day,
  • but by 27 - 32 weeks he is already performing 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 large enough) and it becomes cramped in the uterus. There are no "large" movements (turns and overturns in the uterus) and the baby can only make "small" arms and legs.
  • After the 28th week, the average amount is 8 - 10 per hour. The exceptions are 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 pm to 4 am, and the decrease in activity or the so-called state of rest occurs between 4 am and 9 am.
  • By 32 weeks, the fetus takes the final position, as a rule, this is the head to the small pelvis (longitudinal position, cephalic presentation). But the transverse position or breech presentation is not excluded. Mom should not despair; to correct such positions, the doctor will always prescribe the performance of special gymnastics, which contribute to the overturn of the fetus and its reception of the "correct" position - longitudinal, with the head to the small pelvis.

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

Change in the intensity of perturbations

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 require the consultation of an obstetrician.

As a rule, the 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. This phenomenon is easy to explain. When a woman is at rest, she listens more attentively 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 dies), the pregnant woman should sit down and relax, watching how he moves.

Doctors very often advise pregnant women to take the bed rest position - 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.

A change in activity is possible from an uncomfortable or incorrect body position of 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 feeling bad, 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 child's physical activity 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 violent shocks. A woman should leave the room and take a walk in order to regain a comfortable state for herself and the baby.

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

Stirring in pathological conditions

If the child's physical activity suddenly becomes violent, prolonged and gives pain to a woman, this indicates some pathological condition and requires an immediate visit to a doctor:

  • Threatening premature birth

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

  • Polyhydramnios

In this case, the nature of the aftershocks is fundamentally 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.

  • Malnutrition

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

  • Acute hypoxia

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

  • Chronic hypoxia

Develops in the presence of placental insufficiency, anemia, preeclampsia. Movement is sluggish and becomes infrequent.

  • Diaphragmatic hernia in a pregnant woman

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

  • Inconsistency of the scar on the uterus

If a woman has a history of a cesarean section, then if the scar is incompetent, 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, the pregnant woman complains of frequent, painful urination, pain when moving the lower abdomen.

How the tremors feel

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

  • For short periods of time (20 - 25 weeks), women characterize them as "butterfly fluttering" or "fish swimming". Other pregnant women talk about "fluttering" or "vibrating the phone" or "tickling". Some of them describe their sensations in a less romantic way: "gurgling in the stomach, as if the intestines are junk."
  • After 27 - 28 weeks, when the fetus has already grown up enough, its movements become clearer and more specific. A mother-to-be, and even a father-to-be, can feel a kick in the area of ​​the abdomen where the hand is laid. The baby’s dissatisfaction is very often expressed with such “kicks” - in the case of an uncomfortable posture by the mother or with loud and annoying sounds. But if an unfamiliar hand kisses the mother's belly, the child shrinks in fear and does not want to “kick”.

Count

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

Pearson's method

This method is based on counting movements over 12 hours. Produced from 9 am to 9 pm. During this test, a woman is required only one condition - to reduce physical activity. All movements, even the smallest or weakest, are counted. 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 pass between the first and tenth movement. And of course, mom must remember that a rest period is also possible, which should last no more than 4 hours. If this time is exceeded, an urgent need to contact an obstetrician.

To draw up a table, you should take a sheet of notebook in the box and line it up as follows. The gestational age is recorded on 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 movements. As soon as their number reaches 10, a mark is put in the table at the hour when this happened. Additional information is entered into the table: there were less than 10 movements and how many in total. We continue the counting in the following days, and we must enter the data into the table, with which we need to go to the doctor's appointment.

Cardiff Method

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

Sadowski method

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 per 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 perturbations (less than 10) in 2 hours.

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

Diagnosis of pathology

A change in the nature and intensity of movements in the unborn baby indicates his ill-being. A terrible sign is the lack of movement for 6 or more hours, which requires immediate medical attention. Methods for examining the condition of the fetus include:

Fetal heart rate auscultation

Listening to the heart rate is done directly by the obstetrician using an obstetric stethoscope (wooden tube). Normally, the fetal heart rate is 120 - 160 beats per minute. When deviated in one direction or another, they talk about oxygen starvation of the baby, which requires instrumental research methods.

Cardiotocography (CTG)

CTG is rightfully considered an affordable, reliable and most accurate method for assessing the condition of the fetus. CTG is performed from 32 weeks of gestation, and in case of suspicion of intrauterine pathology and at an earlier date (from 28 weeks). With the help of cardiotocography, not only fetal movements 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 a couch, and 2 sensors are attached to her stomach. One is in a well-listened place of the fetal heartbeat (he will record the heart rate), and the other is nearby (records the uterine contractions). The cardiotocogram recording is carried out for at least 30 minutes, but it is also possible to increase the examination time up to 1.5 hours. While taking a cardiotocogram, a woman needs to note every movement of the baby and press a special button. Analysis of the cardiotocogram includes:

  • basal heart rate (norm 120 - 160 beats per minute);
  • the amplitude of variability (tolerance of deviations up or down) of the basal rhythm (the norm is 5 - 25 beats per minute);
  • decelerations (sudden jumps of the curve downward) - normally absent or sporadic, shortened and shallow are observed;
  • acceleration (sudden jumps of the curve upward) - normally should be at least 2 within 10 minutes of the study.

For a more accurate diagnosis of the state of the fetus, CTG is performed with functional tests (no load and with the introduction of intravenous oxytocin).

Doppler ultrasound

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

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

Question answer

I have my first child, but 4 hours have passed, and I do not feel fetal movements. What to do?

First of all, you need to calm down. The fetus does not always actively move, for 3-4 hours the absence of movement is allowed, at this time the baby is asleep. Try to hold your breath for a short time, the blood will stop flowing to the placenta, to the child, he will experience mild hypoxia and in response “will be indignant” - he will begin to “beat” with his arms and legs. If this method does not help, observe the baby for another 30 - 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. A 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 absence of movement, the baby, although occasionally, makes movements.

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

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

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

It is impossible to say for sure in how many weeks you will feel the wiggle. Everything here is individual. Normally, with repeated pregnancy, the mother begins to feel the movements of the fetus from 18 weeks. But their earlier onset is also possible, at 16 weeks. But the nature of the movements may be completely different, unlike the first two pregnancies, and this should not be scared. All children are different, even while still in the mother's stomach.

I have a "bad" CTG, which was performed twice. Do you have to go to the hospital?

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

From time immemorial, expectant mothers with anxiety, joy and hope have listened to the movements of their unborn baby. And today, in the 21st century, despite a wide range of modern methods for studying the intrauterine state of the fetus, movement remains the main indicator of the child's well-being, confirming its viability.

In order to better understand the "language" of fetal movement, let us recall some of the stages in the development of the child in the womb by the mother's weeks, scientifically - the stages of embryogenesis.

In a human embryo, the first heartbeats appear on the 21st day of development. Elements of skeletal muscles begin to develop due to early contractile activity. The rhythmic contractile activity of the primary muscle fibers is observed even before the nervous system of the embryo begins to take shape.

At the end of the embryonic period (the end of the 8th week of pregnancy) and the beginning of the fetal period (from the 8th week of pregnancy), the fetal nervous system begins to form, which is responsible for motor activity. By this time, there is already muscle tissue, there are nerve fibers that "feed" impulses to the muscles, ensuring their contraction. Motor reflexes caused by excitation of nerve endings were established from the end of the 8th week of pregnancy. The first reflexes in response to irritation of the perioral zone (near the mouth) - the mandibular (buccal) and maxillary (maxillary) branches of the trigeminal nerve - occur in the fetus at 7.5 weeks of gestation.

From the 10th week of pregnancy, reflexes appear caused by irritation of the skin areas to which the spinal nerves go. In short, the baby begins to move in the uterus early enough. True, these movements are not yet coordinated and not conscious, and the relative sizes of the embryo and fetal bladder are such that the embryo floats freely in the amniotic fluid and rarely touches the uterine wall so that the mother can feel it.

But:
... already from the 10th week of pregnancy, having stumbled upon the wall of the uterus, the baby can change the trajectory of movement;
... from 9 weeks of gestation, the fetus can swallow amniotic fluid, and this is a complex motor process;
... at 16 weeks of gestation, the fetus develops motor activity in response to sounds (primarily to the mother's voice, to a change in its intonation);
... at 17 weeks, the fetus begins to squint;
... at 18 weeks - he touches the umbilical cord with handles, squeezes and unclenches his fingers, touches his face and even covers his face with his hands when there are sharp, loud and unpleasant sounds.

For the fetal brain to develop and function normally, a variety of stimuli and a sufficient level of their intensity are required. The perception of specific sensations has already been formed, and now the baby is learning to react to them with movement.

The date of the first fetal movement is very individual for each woman. Classical obstetrics indicates the approximate timeframe for the first and second pregnant women (20 weeks and 18 weeks, respectively). But all women are different, the threshold of sensitivity is different for everyone, etc. The baby is still small, and in order for you to feel the movement, he needs to "break through" the thick uterine wall. So don't worry in advance. You will soon begin to feel it. If this does not happen in the next one to two weeks, an ultrasound scan can be done to "calm down" the soul and make sure everything is in order. It's just that there is a time for everything.

The main task of the fetus is to develop. To do this, he needs food and many stimuli. If there is not enough nutrition and oxygen, the fetus begins to move more actively and thereby massage the placenta in order to receive a sufficient portion of blood during uterine contraction, and with it - nutrition and oxygen. Or, for example, the mother lies on her back, thereby squeezing the largest vessels of the body (the inferior vena cava and the site of the aortic bifurcation) with the pregnant uterus. The fetus will immediately respond with violent stirring and force the mother to change the position of the body, therefore, pregnant women are advised to lie only on their side. If the fetus presses the loops of the umbilical cord, it also begins to actively move and change its position.

In the first trimester, the child has already formed ideas about comfort. They help the baby to navigate what should be the intensity of various stimuli from the outside. The fetus discovers that, by moving, he can regulate the intensity of stimulation (for example, move away from loud sounds), he becomes the "creator" of his life.

What does the expectant mother feel? The first movements are described in different ways. They may look like the splashing of a fish, the flutter of a butterfly, or, banally, intestinal peristalsis. According to most pregnant women, this is one of the most exciting periods in their lives, and from that moment on, the mother becomes the most accurate and unmistakable "sensor" that registers the state of her baby. It is from the very first shocks that many women begin to perceive the fetus as their child.

At first, the movements of the fetus are rather timid, not coordinated, but gradually they are ordered and acquire a certain meaning and significance. Within half an hour, a 5-month-old fetus can make 20 to 60 thrusts, sometimes more, sometimes less. In general, the pace, rhythm and strength of the movements vary with the time of day.

By 24 weeks of gestation, fetal movements resemble those of a newborn. From this age, the baby actively "speaks" with the mother in the language of movements about his anxiety, joy, pleasure and his own well-being. In turn, the fetus is very sensitive to changes in the emotional state of the mother. For example, when the mother is worried or happy, the baby may move more actively or, conversely, calm down for a while.

Too violent, painful movement of the fetus indicates a problem in its condition. Sometimes the baby's movements hurt the mother. In this case, the woman needs to change her body position. If for a long time, for several hours, fetal movements remain painful, the pregnant woman must inform the doctor about it. Most women note some soreness in the hypochondrium in the third trimester of pregnancy - and this is not a deviation from the norm.

What do fetal movements indicate?

You need to listen to the movements of the child. A complete cessation of motor activity for 12 hours or more is a very alarming signal. Starting from the 24th week of pregnancy, the fetus should move on average 10-15 times per hour, it can sleep for 3 hours and hardly move at the same time. However, if the child is too active for several days, or, conversely, within several days his activity has decreased, the pregnant woman should contact her obstetrician.

There are situations when you need to constantly observe the movements of the child. In any case, if you do not feel fetal movements for 12 hours, you need to see a doctor. To independently stimulate the movement of the fetus, you can do several physical exercises, breathing exercises with holding your breath, eat sweets.

The movements of the fetus can change their character and intensity even during the day, and this is normal. Sometimes you may not notice them as these movements can be quite delicate. In order to assess the activity of the fetus in the 4th - 5th month of pregnancy, you need to proceed as follows:

Treat yourself (and your baby) with a light breakfast (or afternoon snack). A mug of sweet tea with cream and toast (muffin, cookies, etc.) will do.
... After 10-15 minutes after that, lie down on a bed or sofa and spend an hour or two lying quietly. Usually, such a "high-calorie investment" followed by motor rest on the part of the mother encourages the fetus to demonstrate its own presence.
If the attempt was unsuccessful, try again a little later (maybe the last time you violated the "daily routine" and daringly tried to force the kid to do physical exercises during his "quiet hour"). If during the day the fetus does not detect motor activity, despite all your attempts to feel it, then it is advisable to consult a doctor. Listening to fetal heart sounds or a few seconds of ultrasound scans will immediately clarify the situation.

Sudden, very active fetal movements can be the result of an uncomfortable position of the mother - a position in which less oxygen is supplied to the fetus, for example, when a woman is sitting cross-legged or lying on her back. In this case, it is necessary to change the position. If, for several hours, the movements remain unusually active, you should consult a doctor. So, sluggish and weak movements or overly active also indicate the unsuccessful state of the fetus.

In any case, there is no reason to panic. In medicine, there are cases when the expectant mother did not feel the movements of the fetus for several days, and this did not have dire consequences. Although, of course, it will be safer to play it safe and consult a specialist. Advanced obstetricians strongly recommend taking control of fetal motor activity starting from the 28th week of pregnancy. At this time, fetal movements are an indicator of its well-being. The control is carried out twice during every day - in the morning and in the evening.

This is a test of fetal movement D. Pearson "Count to ten". On a special card, the number of fetal movements from 28 weeks of pregnancy is noted daily. Perturbations count starts at 9:00 and ends at 21:00. Start counting fetal movements at exactly 9 am, write down the time of the 10th movement in a table or graph. A small number of movements (less than 10 per day) may indicate oxygen deficiency in the fetus and is a reason to see a doctor.

The assessment is made as follows:
... Mark the start time of counting.
... You record all the baby's movements (coups, jerks, kicks, movements, including light ones).
... As soon as you have marked ten movements of the baby - record the end time of counting.
... If from the first to the tenth movement of the fetus 10 - 20 minutes have passed, then the baby is quite active.
... If a little more, then, probably now he has a rest time, or your baby initially does not belong to highly mobile people.
... If an hour has passed, then have a snack as described above and repeat the control count.
... If the fetus took an hour again, then an emergency doctor's consultation is required.
There should be no panic. Instead, a conscious attentive attitude to one's own pregnancy must be present. As for the strength and nature of fetal movements, you should not build any predictions of the baby's health on these signs if the above tests are normal. If necessary, a competent doctor will be able to extract useful information from the nature of fetal movements, but most often there is no particular need for this.

If twins develop, it may appear that fetal movements are felt all over the place and are very intense. An ultrasound can dispel doubts if it is confirmed that two fetuses are developing in the uterus.
The maximum increasing motor activity of the fetus is noted from the 24th to the 32nd week of pregnancy. Then it gradually decreases; this is especially noticeable at the time of childbirth. By the end of the third trimester, the number of movements may decrease somewhat, but their intensity and, one might say, their strength remain the same or increase.

It is also interesting that by the end of pregnancy the most active movements are felt at the location of the fetal limbs. So, if the baby lies downside down (this happens in the overwhelming majority of cases), then the movements are clearly felt in the upper parts of the uterus; if the pelvic end (breech presentation) is adjacent to the exit from the uterus, the movements are more pronounced in the lower sections. Calculation of the frequency of fetal movements for 30 minutes in the morning and in the evening shows that in healthy pregnant women by the evening it increases. The motor activity of the fetus characterizes its condition.

What does the unusual "behavior" of a toddler mean?

If there is a deviation from the normal rhythm, frequency and nature of movements, it is necessary to listen to heart sounds, ultrasound, CTG (cardiotocography). What kind of intrauterine suffering are we talking about when we talk about impaired motor activity of the fetus? Most often, intrauterine fetal suffering is caused by hypoxia (oxygen starvation).

Reasons for hypoxia:
... complications of pregnancy,
... various diseases (anemia, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, etc.),
... bleeding
... fetal-placental insufficiency,
... prolapse from the uterine cavity and pressing of the fallen out loops of the umbilical cord by the head of the fetus,
... fetal diseases (Rh-conflict, fetal infection).

Acute oxygen deficiency can be diagnosed by auscultation (listening) of fetal heart sounds. In chronic intrauterine fetal hypoxia, the indicators of cardiotocography (registration of heart contractions using a special apparatus) are more informative. At the moment of fetal movement, the heart rate normally increases by 10-15 beats per minute.

At the initial stages of intrauterine hypoxia, the restless behavior of the fetus is noted, which consists in an increase in the frequency and enhancement of its motor activity. With progressive fetal hypoxia, there is a weakening and cessation of its movements.

A reminder to expectant mothers: the baby's first movements are not only an indicator of his condition, but also unique sensations that a woman can experience only in this short but such a happy period of her life.

True and false about babies' movements?

Is it true that an unborn child can recognize the voice of the father, feel the mood of the mother, and have sympathy or antipathy for music? Is he able to react to this with movement?

Truth. It has been proven that already starting from the 20th week of intrauterine development, the child reacts to external noises. In the course of the study, it turned out that unborn children prefer Mozart and calm, slow music: it calms them down, and they fall asleep in their natural cradle. But if a pregnant woman comes to a motorcycle race or to an apartment being renovated, she will most likely feel nervous shocks in her stomach.

Is it true that a child, being in the womb, can distinguish between day and night: he is active during the day and sleeps at night? If the expectant mother lies down to rest during the day, does the baby begin to push and twirl vigorously?

Not true. The child still does not distinguish between day and night. He has his own sleep schedule, which may not be the same as his mom's. As for strange tremors, the baby may hiccup or cough. This is completely harmless, many women feel the delight of the "tapping" inside themselves, which they feel when the baby hiccups or coughs: they say that it feels much sharper than when he just turns.

Is it true that by the movements of the baby, you can determine his temperament?

True, even an unborn child is already a person and has the right to his own temperament. One baby is quite active in the womb, while the other is calm, and the expectant mother, after listening to the advice of "experienced" mothers, begins to worry that she has a weak feeling of her baby. In no case should you listen to the "authoritative" statements of friends about the beginning of the child's stirring. And, of course, all women perceive such feelings differently. The period during which a woman feels the first movements of the fetus is from 16 to 25 weeks, and this depends on many factors, such as: the location of the placenta, the experience of the mother, the character of the baby. A calm child isn't that bad, is it? But this is a joke. But seriously - if the doctor says that you shouldn't worry, then everything is in order. After 28 weeks, the baby should make itself felt at least ten times a day. This can happen not only while you are awake, but also when you are sleeping.

Is it true that all movements and movements of the baby can always be seen through the belly?

Not always, it's all about the location of the placenta. In one pregnancy, the placenta is located so that all the baby's movements are visible, and if the placenta is closer to the front wall of the uterus, this does not happen, and the tremors are felt weaker. The placenta weighs about a kilogram and is about four centimeters thick. So it is not surprising that with this arrangement, it serves as a kind of shock absorber for the fetal tremors. When the placenta is located closer to the back wall of the uterus, nothing prevents the baby's movements from being transmitted along the abdominal wall.

Dear future mothers, the baby's first movements are not only an indicator of his condition, but also the unique sensations that a woman can experience only in this short, but such a happy period of her life. We wish you and your baby health

source www.papinbag.ru

The first movement of the fetus begins early, already at 7-8 weeks of gestation. It was at this time that its first muscles and the rudiments of the nervous system were formed. From about 10 weeks of gestation, the baby begins to move more actively in the uterus, sometimes bumping into its walls. However, he is still very small, and these blows are very weak, so the expectant mother cannot yet feel them.

2. "As if a fish swam": during the first pregnancy, fetal movements are felt later

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

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

Women who lead an active lifestyle, who 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 movement is 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 the mother with the help of movements, to react to the sounds of her voice and emotional state. From the moment of "his growing up", when the baby began to actively move, he "speaks" to his mother, thereby informing her about his anxiety, joy, pleasure, or his well-being.

In turn, the fetus is very sensitive to changes in the emotional state of the expectant mother. For example, when she is excited, worried or happy, the baby may move more actively or, conversely, calm down for a while. Fetal movements can vary in quantity and intensity even during the day. And this is normal.

4. If there is no movement, the baby can just sleep

Starting from the 24th week of pregnancy, the baby should move on average 10-15 times per hour. If the baby does not make itself felt for 3-4 hours, it is possible that he is just sleeping. In this case, the expectant mother needs to eat something sweet and lie on her left side for half an hour. If these simple steps do not help, it is worth repeating them again after 2-3 hours. If the baby still does not make itself felt, this is a reason to consult a doctor.

After 32 weeks of pregnancy, the number of fetal movements gradually decreases due to the fact that the baby is growing up, and he simply does not have enough free space. But their intensity and strength remain the same or grow. This becomes especially noticeable by the time of childbirth.

See your doctor immediately if:

  • no fetal motor activity for 12 hours or more,
  • the fetus was overly active for several days, and then abruptly subsided,
  • you notice only rare and weak fetal movements (this may be caused by a lack of oxygen - fetal hypoxia).

5. How to count fetal movements? 2 special tests

It is recommended to count the number of fetal movements for every expectant mother, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy (after the 28th week) - there should be at least ten of them during the day. There are 2 fetal movement tests to assess fetal activity.

"Count to ten"... On a special card (you can take it from your doctor or he will tell you how to draw it up), the number of fetal movements is noted daily, usually from 28 weeks of pregnancy. The essence of the fetal movement test is that the expectant mother counts fetal movements for 12 hours, for example, from 9 am to 9 pm. If the fetus makes less than 10 movements per period? - this is a reason to consult a doctor for an examination.

There is another way to count fetal movements - Sadovski technique... They spend it like this: in the evening after dinner, the woman lies on her left side and counts the movements of the fetus. In this case, you need to take into account everything, even the smallest movements of the fetus. If 10 or more fetal movements are noted within an hour, this indicates that the baby is feeling well. If the fetus has moved less than 10 times in an hour, then its movements are counted for another hour. The evening time for this assessment method was not chosen by chance. It is in the evening, especially after dinner and the associated increase in glucose, that the highest 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 its condition and additional research should be carried out.

6. Fetal movements may be a little painful.

Sometimes the baby's movements hurt the expectant mother. In this case, she needs to change her body position (lie on the other side, walk, etc.). After that, the discomfort should go away. If for a long time, for several hours, fetal movements remain painful, the expectant mother should definitely inform the doctor about this, as this may be a sign of problems during pregnancy (for example, with oligohydramnios). In addition, most expectant mothers note some soreness in the hypochondrium, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy? - and this is not a deviation from the norm, since the uterus has risen high enough for the baby to “reach” in these areas as well.

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

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

8. What is the expression of oxygen starvation of the fetus?

There is a widespread belief that increased fetal activity is a sign of oxygen deprivation, but this is not always the case. Indeed, at the initial stages of fetal hypoxia, the baby's restless behavior is noted, which consists in the frequency and strengthening of his movements. However, with a prolonged or increasing lack of oxygen, the movements of the little man weaken, or may even stop altogether. Therefore, anxiety should be caused by rare (less than 10 per day), weak fetal movements (especially after 30 weeks) or increased activity after a "quiet period", which requires urgent consultation with a doctor. If the doctor suspects that something is wrong, he will send the expectant mother to 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 "astronaut" is always on the move

At the 20th week of pregnancy, the fetus makes about 200? Movements per day, and in the period between the 28th and 32nd weeks, their daily amount reaches 600. Naturally, the expectant mother does not feel all of the baby's movements, but only a small part of them. So, after 28 weeks, usually the frequency of movement of the fetus, according to the woman's sensations, is from 4 to 8 times per hour, with the exception of periods of sleep (3-4 hours in a row). During the third trimester, a pregnant woman may notice that her baby has certain sleep and wake cycles. Children are usually most active from 7 pm to 4 am, and the "rest" period occurs more often from 4 to 9 am.

The most anticipated, and therefore unforgettable, is the feeling of stirring under the heart of a new life. Future mothers and fathers are waiting for him with awe. And also gynecologists. You will be asked to write down the date of the first stirring, and by it they will be guided by the date of birth. If you are expecting your first baby, then he will be born 20 weeks after the first stirring (usually the birth 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 them. Typically, the first fetal movements occur between 16 and 24 weeks of gestation.

Although in fact the fetus is already moving 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 do you know that this is a wiggle?

It happens that it is both difficult and easy to understand at the same time. Doctors describe this phenomenon in very different ways, and mothers themselves cannot find the true words. You need to feel the movement yourself. And it is 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 sat in your hands. You hold her, and she knocks her wings in her hands. "

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

I was looking forward to the butterfly in my belly, but I still got a “gurgle”. But he was the sweetest and most unforgettable of all the gurgles.

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

It so happens that while impatiently awaiting the first stirring, with the same impatience mommy awaits its termination. 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 formed already in the tummy. Here's the answer: too agile toddler will make itself felt right away. This is not always the case, though. Often, the baby's movements are not evidence of his temperament, but of well-being, development and health. Therefore, the task for a pregnant woman is very important: to analyze every step of her little one, to learn to understand and feel it. Any deviations from your normal life together should be recorded.

The rate of movement during pregnancy

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

What is the evidence of fetal movements?

Movement is life. And even in the uterine period. Have you already observed your little one using an ultrasound scan? This is a little man with arms, legs, heart ... With a bad and good mood, in a comfortable, or not very, posture. So how does he tell you about all this? Naturally - in jerks.

A very common occurrence -. Experts say that it does not pose any danger to the baby and does not cause unpleasant sensations in him. But now mommy will feel it in the form of rhythmic jolts inside herself. Such episodes can appear up to several times a day.

Remember. This will also help you understand why your baby is moving. It often requires your attention as early as 21 weeks. Recognizing your voice, the voice of dad, distinguishing loud sounds and a gentle melody, reacting to light, he will naturally let you know about his feelings and preferences. Undoubtedly, many already established mothers return with nostalgia to their "pregnant" days. We remember very well how the toddler calmed down in the womb, if mom was upset or angry ... And how carefully he reminded of 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 didn't work! The period of wakefulness begins in the stomach! The kid is still living according to his schedule and is not going to take into account your adjustments.

The baby can perform up to 500 different movements per day. Naturally, you will not hear everything. After all, the perceptibility of movements depends on many factors: the amount of intrauterine water, the thickness of the abdominal wall, the position of the baby and the placenta, the baby's mobility, 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 breech position, you will feel the tremors in the lower abdomen. And if the toddler "stomps" above the navel, then the head presentation means. By the end of pregnancy, the baby is also preparing for birth. His movements are already more rare, but not absent in any way.

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

In addition, you will need a consultation with a gynecologist if the child's movements are too infrequent, sluggish, or, conversely, violent, painful. In any case, this indicates the suffering of the fetus. Most often, this condition is caused by oxygen starvation. But experts disagree on how to distinguish this pathology. Some believe that with hypoxia, the fetus becomes too violent, while others - on the contrary. However, no matter how your baby lets you know that he is not getting enough oxygen, take his cues into account. After all, hypoxia often becomes the cause of fetal death. The reasons for the appearance of hypoxia are very different: diabetes mellitus, anemia, cardiovascular disease, fetal disease and much more. Only a doctor can confirm or deny such a diagnosis. For this, an ultrasound examination 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. In this examination, the baby's heartbeat is recorded for 1 hour. The norm is not monotonous, but variable heart rate, which ranges from 120 to 160 beats per minute. With severe fetal hypoxia, the heartbeat 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 on their own. D. Pearson's "Count to ten" test is widely used. 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, movements are counted. The time of the 10th stirring is recorded daily on a special card. If your baby is inactive, see your doctor.

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

If, on the contrary, you need to stir up the little one, it is recommended to eat something sweet. After all, carbohydrates are the first and very quickly to enter 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. Do not under any circumstances run a panic count of every roll and thrust. Enjoy communication with your angel. Pay as much attention to him as possible, take care of your health, watch your diet and daily routine. Have family gatherings. 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