Fetal movement changes

Introduction Fetal movement refers to the movement of the fetus in the uterine cavity to the wall of the uterus. After 4 months of pregnancy, the mother can obviously feel the activity of the fetus from the 5th month. The fetus reaches out in the uterus, kicks the leg, and impacts the wall of the uterus. This is the fetal movement. The number of fetal movements, the speed and strength of the fetus indicate the safety of the fetus. Fetal movement is the activity of the fetus in the mother's womb. Changes in fetal movement vary from period to period.

Cause

First, the fetal movement suddenly decreases

Diagnosis reason: expectant mother has a fever

In general, if the expectant mother has a mild fever, the fetus will not be affected too much by the buffering effect of amniotic fluid.

It is worth noting that the cause of fever in expectant mothers, if it is a general cold caused by fever, will not have much impact on the fetus. If it is an infectious disease or flu, especially for expectant mothers who are close to the expected date of birth, the impact on the fetus is greater.

If the mother's body temperature continues to be too high, more than 38 degrees Celsius, the blood flow to the placenta and uterus will decrease, and the little one will become much quieter. Therefore, for the sake of baby health, expectant mothers need to go to the hospital as soon as possible, ask the doctor to help.

Second, the fetal movement suddenly increased

Diagnosis reason: expectant mother suffered severe trauma

In general, the fetus in the mother's womb, with the protection of amniotic fluid, can reduce the impact of external forces, when the mother is inadvertently subjected to a slight impact, it will not be hurt.

However, once the expectant mother is hit by a serious external force, it will cause fetal fetal movement, and even cause miscarriage, premature birth and so on.

Third, the fetal movement suddenly increased, and then stopped moving soon.

Diagnosis reason: early exfoliation of the placenta.

This happens mostly after the middle of pregnancy. It is more likely to have high blood pressure, severe trauma, or short-term intrauterine pressure reduction. Symptoms include: vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, uterine contractions, severe shock.

Once this happens, the fetus will respond accordingly: they will have a brief, intense exercise due to a sudden lack of oxygen, and then quickly stop.

4. Sudden stop after the rapid fetal movement.

Reason for diagnosis: the umbilical cord around the neck or knotted.

analysis:

The normal umbilical cord length is 50 cm, and if the umbilical cord is too long, it is easy to wrap around the neck or body of the fetus. Because the active little guy can already move freely in the amniotic fluid, turning over and rolling is a common thing, so if you are not careful, you will get stuck. Once the umbilical cord is entangled or knotted, the blood will not circulate, causing the fetus to suffocate due to lack of oxygen.

When the above situation occurs, the expectant mother will feel that the fetal movement will have a rapid movement, and after a period of time, it will suddenly stop. This is the abnormal signal from the baby.

an examination

Related inspection

Obstetric B ultrasound heart monitoring

Fetal movement patterns and changes

16 to 20 weeks of pregnancy

The amount of fetal movement: small · the action is not intense.

Mother's feeling: relatively weak and not obvious.

Location: Central abdomen

Pregnancy 16 to 20 weeks is a period in which fetal movement can be perceived. At this time, the amount of exercise is not very large, and the movement is not intense. Pregnant mommy usually feels that the fetal movement at this time is like a fish swimming, or squeaking a bubble, which is a bit like the feeling of flatulence, gastrointestinal motility or hungry stomach. Inexperienced pregnant mommy often can't tell. At this time, the position of the fetal movement is closer to the belly button.

20 to 35 weeks of pregnancy

The amount of exercise: big · the most intense action.

Mom's feeling: very obvious.

Location: Close to the stomach and expand to the sides.

At this time, the baby is in a lively period, and because it is not very large, the space available for activities in the womb is relatively large, so this is the most intense period of the baby's fetal movement. Pregnant mommy can feel the big punches, tumbling and other big movements, and even see the small hands and feet on the belly. At this point the fetal position is raised, close to the stomach.

Near childbirth

The amount of exercise: big · the action is not too intense.

Mom's feeling: obvious.

Location: throughout the abdomen.

Because of the childbirth, the baby grows up and almost fills the entire uterus, so the space available for activity in the palace is less and less, the display can not be opened, and the fetal head is reduced, the fetal movement will be reduced, not as frequent as before. The position of the fetal movement will also change as the fetus moves up and down.

If the fetal movement is less than 20 times in 12 hours, it is abnormal; less than 10 times, it indicates that the fetus is dangerous and there is hypoxia in the uterus. If the fetal movement exceeds the normal number of times in a period of time, the fetal movement is frequent, or no intermittent movement, it is also the performance of intrauterine hypoxia. The number of fetal movements is significantly reduced until it stops, which is a sign that the fetus is severely suffocated in the uterus. Abnormal fetal movement is due to pathological conditions and dysfunction, such as tight umbilical cord around the neck, placental dysfunction, or abnormal use of pregnant women and external stimuli, resulting in fetal hypoxia in the uterus. When the life of the fetus is threatened, the fetus has abnormal fetal movement, not only in the number of times, but also in nature, such as strong, continuous push-and-twist fetal movement or kicking, or even weak fetal movement. These are all ominous signs. Abnormal fetal movement should be promptly treated.

After 28 weeks of gestation, the fetal movements were mostly in the middle and upper abdomen, and the lower abdomen was rare. If fetal movement often occurs in the lower part of the lower abdomen, it can be regarded as abnormal, indicating that the fetal position is abnormal, mostly breech or transverse position, which is easy to cause difficulty in delivery, and should be treated promptly.

Differential diagnosis

Fetal movement frequency is a clinical manifestation of acute fetal distress, which is a change in fetal heart rate, meconium contamination of amniotic fluid, excessive fetal movement, loss of fetal movement and acidosis. Insufficient oxygen in the maternal blood is an important cause. In mild hypoxia, the mother has no obvious symptoms, but it has an effect on the fetus. Frequent fetal movement: normal fetal movement for 1 hour is not less than 3 to 5 times, and the number of fetal movements is obviously 30 to 40 times in 12 hours. However, due to the large differences in fetal individuals, some fetuses can move about 100 times in 12 hours. As long as the fetal movements are regular, rhythmic, and little change, it is proved that fetal development is normal. Normal fetal movement indicates that the placenta function is good, the oxygen delivered to the fetus is sufficient, and the fetus grows well in the uterus and is very happy to move. The number of fetal movements is not constant. During the 28-38 weeks of gestation, it is a period of active fetal movement, and then slightly weakened until delivery. Pregnant women's movements, postures, emotions, as well as strong sounds, strong light and touching the abdomen can cause changes in fetal movement.

The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments.