At what age does the baby begin to move, what does it feel like, and how can you not miss this moment?

The first movements of a baby in the womb are incomparable. This is something special and unique. Mothers describe them differently. And the timing at which weeks the baby begins to move can vary. Some people feel kicks already at the 15th week of pregnancy, and others at the 22nd. In the uterus, the baby makes chaotic movements already at 8-10 weeks, but they are so weak that not a single woman is able to feel them. It has been scientifically proven that the timing of the first tremors depends on previous pregnancies and the number of fetuses gestated.

During the first pregnancy, the first fetal movements begin at approximately 20 weeks. But young mothers cannot always distinguish these tremors from bowel movements. The movements can be confused with flatulence. Therefore, the baby’s first kicks can be +- 2 weeks. There are cases when a girl has highly developed tissue sensitivity, and then she is able to feel the baby already at 15-16.

And in the second pregnancy, the child begins to move at an earlier stage, at a maximum of 18 weeks. And the point is not that the baby develops faster than the first child. It’s just that by the second pregnancy, the mother is already an “experienced fighter” and is able to distinguish the baby’s first tremors from everything else. The sensitivity of her muscle tissue has also increased and is ready for these same movements. During the second pregnancy, the mother can no longer be fooled by false pushes.

As for cases when pregnancy proceeds with the presence of two fetuses, in this case there are no special changes in the timing of the first movements. Babies also begin to move in the first trimester of pregnancy, but the mother can often feel them a little earlier than when carrying one fetus. When pregnant with twins, the baby begins to move at approximately 18-19 weeks. The thing is that the amount of free space in the uterus is rapidly decreasing. Accordingly, even minor movements of babies are felt more strongly.

Do not forget that everything mentioned above is an individual process. There are cases when mothers feel the first tremors even at 16 weeks. This is due to the fact that such women have increased tissue sensitivity. Conversely, when sensitivity is reduced, tremors can be noticed only after 20 weeks. There is nothing wrong with this, and there is no need to panic ahead of time. But if you are still worried, then you can do an unscheduled ultrasound examination, which will accurately show whether the pregnancy is progressing correctly and whether everything is okay with the fetus.

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The life of every woman changes the moment the test shows the coveted two stripes. From the moment a child is conceived, every week becomes special, filled with incredible events. In the second half of pregnancy, a big discovery awaits the expectant mother - the feeling of the movements of a little person inside. How are fetal movements perceived and at what time should this important event be expected?

Baby's movements: a look from the inside

The baby begins to move in the first trimester of pregnancy. At week 7, the midwife is actively developing the brain and separating its main parts. During the same period, the formation of hands and feet, the formation of muscles, ligaments and joints occurs. At this stage, the baby makes his very first chaotic movements with his arms and legs.

Fetal movements in the first trimester of pregnancy are very weak, and it is impossible to recognize them through the anterior abdominal wall. It is possible to distinguish the baby's movements at a short period of time only during an ultrasound. Every week the baby will move more and more, and one day the expectant mother will be able to feel the kicking of little legs in her tummy.

At the end of the first trimester, all fetal movements become quite clear and coordinated. At 12-14 weeks, the baby already quite consciously bends and straightens his limbs, swims in the amniotic fluid and occasionally touches the walls of the uterus. At 16-18 weeks the child can:

• move throughout the available space;
• bend and straighten limbs at the joints;
• turn your whole body;
• bend your neck and nod your head;
• move your fingers;
• grab the umbilical cord;
• suck fingers;
• grimace.

In the second trimester of pregnancy, the fetus learns to recognize a variety of external sounds. The baby distinguishes the voices of his parents, recognizes familiar melodies and reacts to the intonations of the people around him. Sounds that are too loud can frighten him, while pleasant music brings pleasure. During this period, the baby can make itself known by light touches to the walls of the uterus, which are perceived by the woman as fetal movements.

First fetal movements

During the first pregnancy, fetal movements are felt at 18-20 weeks. During the second and subsequent pregnancies, the baby’s movements are perceived by the woman a little earlier - in the range from 16 to 18 weeks. This difference is explained by the greater extensibility of the abdominal wall, as well as the experience of the expectant mother. A multipregnant woman already knows how the baby moves and distinguishes fetal movements among other sensations in the abdomen much earlier.

The given dates are arbitrary and are only a guide for expectant mothers. Some women feel the baby's movements already at 14-15 weeks, while others have to wait until the very middle of gestation. The absence of noticeable fetal movements up to 22 obstetric weeks is allowed, while maintaining other signs of a successful pregnancy (abdominal growth and weight gain).

Factors influencing timing of the first movements:

• maternal weight (severity of subcutaneous fat layer on the abdomen);
• location of the placenta;
• bowel function;
• individual sensitivity.

It is known that thin expectant mothers notice the first movements of the fetus earlier than overweight women. Through the pronounced layer of subcutaneous fat, fetal movements seem muffled and take much longer to perceive.

The location of the placenta also affects the timing of the first fetal movements. If the placenta is attached to the anterior wall of the uterus, it will be quite difficult to distinguish the baby’s movements within the specified time frame. At 16-18 weeks, the thickness of the fetal place is 2.5-3 cm, and the kicks of the small legs are felt very weakly. The location of the placenta in the fundus of the uterus and along its posterior wall does not prevent you from feeling the baby’s movements at the right time.

The functioning of the digestive tract also affects a woman’s subjective feelings. At 16-20 weeks, many expectant mothers suffer from constipation, bloating and flatulence. Fermentation in the intestines significantly interferes with distinguishing the first movements of small legs. In this case, you need to listen to the sensations in the stomach at night and in the morning, when the intestines are not overloaded with food and are functioning normally.

Woman's feelings

The first movements of the fetus are perceived very differently. Some expectant mothers compare these sensations to the splashing of water or bursting soap bubbles. Other women note that the baby’s movements are like the weightless touch of a feather on the skin. And only a few women at 16-20 weeks definitely feel the light kicks of their little legs. Over time, the baby will become stronger, and with each week the movements will feel better and better.

Inexperienced mothers-to-be often confuse the baby's movements with intestinal peristalsis. Most often this happens at 12-16 weeks, when it is quite difficult to feel fetal movements. Many women want to get to know their baby so quickly that they mistake fermentation in the intestines for touching hands and feet. In fact, fetal movements have nothing to do with intestinal motility, and after 24 weeks this will become clearly noticeable. In the third trimester of pregnancy, it will be quite difficult to confuse the baby’s movements with other sensations in the abdomen.

Counting fetal movements

The entire time the baby is awake, he is constantly moving in the mother's womb. It is known that at 20 weeks a child makes 200 different movements per day, and at 30 weeks this figure reaches 600. A woman perceives only a small part of all movements, and the shorter the pregnancy, the less often the baby’s movements are felt by the expectant mother.

The motor activity of the fetus is determined by several factors:

• gestational age;
• Times of Day;
• woman's condition;
• events in the surrounding world;
• condition of the fetus.

Maximum activity of the baby is observed from 18 to 36 weeks of gestation. In the last weeks before birth, the baby descends to the entrance to the pelvis, preparing for the upcoming event. During this period, the fetus becomes cramped in the mother's womb, and its motor activity decreases somewhat. Just before birth, the baby may become quiet for several hours at a time.

The time of day also affects the conscious activity of the fetus. It has been noticed that most children make themselves known late in the evening or at night. In the morning and early afternoon the baby usually sleeps. The baby can be awakened by eating or the mother's sudden awakening in the middle of the night.

The child’s physical activity is also determined by the mother’s well-being. During rest and before bedtime, fetal movements are felt much more strongly, especially in the early stages of pregnancy. The baby's movements intensify even under stress. If a woman is worried and nervous, the child will definitely let her know with tangible kicks in the stomach.

The baby's activity is affected by everything that happens outside the mother's body. Too bright lights and loud, sharp sounds can wake up the baby at any moment. In response to intense stimuli, the baby will begin to move in the mother's womb, touching the walls of the uterus. In the later stages, you can provoke fetal movements even by lightly stroking the abdomen.

The condition of the baby also affects its activity in the mother's womb. Formed placental insufficiency and hypoxia in the initial stages can lead to increased unconscious movements. When the baby is in severe suffering, the excitement subsides, his movements become increasingly rare and weak. The complete absence of movements is an alarming sign indicating possible intrauterine death of the fetus.

Normally, after 30 obstetric weeks, the baby speaks to himself up to 10 times per hour. A break of 4-6 hours is considered normal and is not a cause for concern. If your child does not move for more than 6 hours in a row, you should consult a doctor.

Assessment of fetal movements

Several special techniques have been developed to assess the condition of the fetus by its motor activity. Tests are carried out no earlier than 28 weeks of pregnancy. Until this time, counting movements may not be informative. The baby’s first movements are not amenable to any research at all, since they are felt by the woman quite rarely.

Test No. 1. Simple counting to 10

Before starting testing, you should note the time. Fetal movements are counted for 60 minutes. During the allotted hour, the child must declare himself at least 10 times. It may also happen that at the chosen time the baby decides to fall asleep. In this case, the woman should wait until the fetus awakens and repeat the test.

Test No. 2. 12 hours

During the selected 12 hours, the woman should independently count all fetal movements. Every tenth movement of the baby is noted in a notebook indicating the exact time. If the study began at 9.00, then by the end of the study (at 21.00) the tenth test mark should appear (equal to 100 fetal movements for the specified period). Testing takes into account a possible decrease in the baby’s activity during sleep, and also allows for minor errors in calculations.

What to do if the baby does not move at 16-20 weeks? Do not panic and soberly assess the situation. Perhaps the baby is hampered by one of the above factors (extra weight of the mother, location of the placenta, etc.). Errors in determining the duration of pregnancy are also possible, especially in women with an irregular menstrual cycle. If at 20-22 weeks the baby still does not announce itself, you should consult a doctor and undergo an ultrasound examination to exclude possible pathologies of fetal development.

Pregnancy is an extraordinary condition for every woman. And if the first trimester is most often remembered from a not very pleasant side due to toxicosis and poor health, then the second and third trimester are always wonderful memories associated with the child’s movements. In this article we will tell you from what week of pregnancy you will feel movements if you are carrying a baby for the first time or for the second time. In addition, you will learn what physical activity is normal and what fetal movements during pregnancy are considered dangerous. .

Before moving on to a detailed description of the motor activity of the child in the womb, let us dwell in detail on embryogenesis, because it will depend on it when movements begin during pregnancy.

The fact is that the baby begins to move in the first trimester of pregnancy (at the end of the 8th week), it’s just that he is still so tiny that the woman does not feel any body movements of her child at all. At such an early stage of its development, the baby moves unconsciously, but from the 16th week, its movements are provoked by external factors, for example, the mother’s voice. And from this moment on, a woman who is not a first-time mother can already feel the first tremors of her baby. But most often, a woman will feel movements during her second pregnancy by the 5th month. Therefore, if you are pregnant for the second time, you will feel the first movements by 18 weeks.

A girl who becomes pregnant for the first time will feel somewhat differently. For her, waiting for the baby's kicks is a very exciting moment. Most often, the expectant mother feels the first movements during her first pregnancy at 20 weeks, but this indicator may vary depending on the physique of the pregnant lady. Thin girls can feel movements during their first pregnancy even earlier than the specified period, and overweight women, on the contrary, later.

What do these movements look like? It is very difficult to give a scientific explanation for them. Their character can only be described by the sensations that a pregnant woman experiences when her baby moves. Some compare the baby's kicks to a fish splashing in a river, others claim that the baby's body movements are similar to the fluttering of a butterfly in the stomach. In any case, only at the moment when the child knocks on your door for the first time will you fully realize the happiness of motherhood.

Until the 26th week of pregnancy, the baby's movements are disordered. It is impossible to determine their meaning, because the baby has not yet formed the rhythm of his life. He sleeps and wakes constantly at different times, so even within 30 minutes a pregnant woman can feel up to 60 kicks from her baby.

Starting from the 27th week of pregnancy, fetal movements already become conscious. The baby, with his body movements, is trying to tell his mother something or show that her emotional state or position is causing him discomfort. From now on, the expectant mother must listen to the baby all the time. If it is very violent or, on the contrary, has calmed down and does not show signs of life for a long time (within 12 hours), then you need to urgently take action - contact your gynecologist who is managing your pregnancy. He will refer you for an ultrasound or Doppler study, which will determine whether your baby is suffering from oxygen starvation. If everything is in order, then no disturbances in the blood flow of the umbilical cord and other vessels will be detected in the child, and his pulse will be 120-160 beats per minute.

The nature of the baby's movements before birth is completely different from what a pregnant woman feels in the second trimester. The baby’s stomach is already becoming cramped, he cannot actively move, so movements from the 38th week of pregnancy will be felt to a greater extent in the place where the fetal limbs are located - either near the ribs or in the lower abdomen (depending on the presentation of the baby).

What does the child’s motor activity indicate?

As soon as you feel the first movement in your baby’s belly, you can determine what his character will be like. Many people have probably already heard different beliefs about this. For example, there is a widespread version that the frequent and violent movements of the baby during pregnancy indicate that the child after birth, on the contrary, will be quiet and calm. If he is calm in the womb, then he will be violent after he is born.

However, this is all nothing more than prejudice. The baby's movements tell a completely different story:

1. About the mode of his life in the womb (he can be active, for example, at night and in the evening, when the mother goes to rest, and sleep when she is awake).
2. About the emotional state of the fetus (if the mother is calm, the baby kicks, and if she is stressed, the baby may hide).
3. About the mother’s nutrition (if the mother is hungry, the child begins to behave actively, which supposedly signals that it is time for her to eat).
4. About discomfort (if the baby feels bad, uncomfortable, he will be overly active).

Sometimes active movement during pregnancy does not mean anything. It’s just that the baby has the ability to hiccup in the womb, and this causes rhythmic tremors that can last 20 minutes and be repeated several times a day. This is an absolutely normal process, indicating that the baby’s central nervous system is normally formed.

Some “lucky” mothers even manage to see their baby’s arm or leg through their belly when he pushes. This is only possible if the placenta is attached to the posterior wall of the uterus.

There are cases when the baby does not kick for a long time because he is sleeping. To stir him up, you can use the following tricks:

• Eat something sweet.
• Walk up and down the stairs for a few minutes.
• Hold your breath.
• Run a stream of cold water over your tummy.

Video “Normal fetal movements”

In this video, an obstetrician-gynecologist talks about the sensations of movements in pregnant women in the first week. In addition, the specialist dwells in detail on the nature of the baby’s body movements in the third trimester of pregnancy.

With the end of the first trimester of pregnancy, worries about its sudden interruption recede, well-being improves, and the tummy begins to grow. The little person inside you is growing and gaining strength. Now the most long-awaited event for the expectant mother is the feeling of the first movements - an incomparable feeling that gives pregnancy a special charm. When does a baby begin to move in the mother's womb? This question is asked not only by pregnant women for the first time, but also by women carrying their second or third baby. In this article we will tell you about the “standard” timing for feeling the first movements, depending on the type of pregnancy, and how the expectant mother feels at this time.

When does the baby start moving in the stomach?

“When does the baby start moving?” - a favorite question of all pregnant women. Although in fact, it would be more correct to ask it a little differently: when does the mother begin to feel the first movements of the child? The fact is that the baby begins to move in the stomach already at 8-9 weeks of intrauterine life (10-11 obstetric weeks of pregnancy) . Nerve endings responsible for motor activity and muscle bundles appear and begin to develop. Nervous activity is not yet coordinated, so the movements of the fetus are chaotic and convulsive. At this time, the child is not even called a fetus, but an embryo. A pregnant woman, of course, does not yet feel any movements inside, because the baby is too small. The main part of the uterine space at this stage is occupied by amniotic fluid, and the baby simply does not yet reach the walls of his “house”. However, very soon, in just a couple of months, the expectant mother will finally feel how the baby is actively moving in her belly.

On term 11-15 obstetric weeks of pregnancy Both hemispheres of the child’s brain and the cerebellum are formed, due to which the baby’s movements become coordinated. He constantly moves inside the uterus: moves his legs and arms, puts his fingers in his mouth. The mother still does not feel fetal activity. Some women claim that they felt the first movement already at 13-14 weeks of pregnancy, but doctors are skeptical about such claims. During early pregnancy, pregnant women often mistake their own intestinal movements for fetal movements.

At how many weeks of pregnancy does the baby begin to move so that the expectant mother feels it? On average, according to medical standards, the first movements are felt by a woman in 16-24 obstetric weeks of pregnancy . Knowing the day when the expectant mother felt the movements of the fetus, doctors can calculate the approximate date of birth (DAD). For first-time mothers, 20 weeks are added to the existing date of first movements, and for those expecting a second (third, etc.) child - 22 weeks. Of course, this is a very approximate method, but in combination with the date of the start of the last menstruation and ultrasound data, it allows you to fairly accurately determine how long the pregnancy will last.

Some women panic when the pregnancy is already 20 weeks and the baby is not moving. Why don't you need to worry? First, pay attention to the obstetric timing of the first movements - 16-24 weeks. It is believed that the subjective sensation of the first tremors is influenced by the lifestyle of the pregnant woman (an active working woman simply does not concentrate on what is happening to her stomach). In addition, one of the versions of the lack of movement in the abdomen is the fixation of the placenta on the anterior wall of the uterus. In any case, if the belly is growing, and the doctor records the fetal heartbeat during regular examinations, there is most likely no reason for concern.

After you feel the baby's first movement, his activity will increase. Long-awaited sensations will become familiar to you. Period from 24 to 32 obstetric weeks of pregnancy is considered the time of maximum fetal motor activity. By the 24th week of pregnancy, the baby already lives according to its own schedule: approximately 16-20 hours a day are spent sleeping, and the baby is awake for 4-6 hours a day. It has been noticed that the activity of the child and mother is inversely proportional, and the most obvious kicks are observed when the mother sits down or lies down to rest. Most likely, this is due to the fact that mother’s walks or other activities contribute to rocking the baby, and he falls asleep sweetly. But in the evening or even at night, real “breakdancing” begins to show! In addition, there is a direct connection between the emotional state of a pregnant woman and the baby’s movements. He may begin to kick strongly or, on the contrary, freeze warily if his mother is scared, happy or upset.

After 32 weeks of pregnancy the baby is already feeling noticeably cramped in the uterus, so he no longer spins, but only pushes the mother from the inside. The nature of the baby’s movements changes, and tremors that are more rare than before can be quite painful for a woman and even interfere with night’s sleep. The expectant mother can only endure this temporary discomfort, try to walk more and not sleep on her back at night (this is how the vena cava, which supplies the baby with oxygen, is compressed).

First, second, third pregnancy: when does the mother begin to feel that the baby is moving?

You should not rely too much on the average timing of the first movements, because in the case of each pregnancy the sensations are individual. Much depends on the woman’s physique, namely the thickness of the fat layer on the abdomen, and on what type of pregnancy it is.

Baby moving during first pregnancy

A woman expecting a baby for the first time is quite expectedly very interested in the question - when does the first child start to move? It is believed that expectant mothers first feel fetal movements around at the 20th obstetric week, or at the end of the 5th obstetric month of pregnancy . Thin women can feel the baby's movements 1-2 weeks earlier.

Second pregnancy and baby's movement: how many weeks?

When does the second baby start moving? As was already said at the beginning of the article, regardless of the serial number of pregnancy, children begin to move their arms and legs in the stomach at approximately the same stage. However, it is believed that a woman feels the first movements of the child during her second pregnancy a little earlier. “Experienced” mothers already know what it’s like to feel the baby’s movements inside them. They listen to themselves more carefully and know what to expect. In addition, the muscles of the uterus of multiparous women are usually somewhat stretched, which makes it possible to “catch” movements a little earlier than the first time. The second child usually performs approximately at 18-19 obstetric weeks of pregnancy .

Third pregnancy: when does the baby move?

Despite their experience with pregnancy, women are usually still interested in when the third child begins to move. The development of children, regardless of the serial number of pregnancy, occurs in the same way, the only difference is the mother’s experience and the somewhat more sensitive and stretched wall of the uterus. Therefore, most often, women feel the first movements during their third pregnancy approximately at 18 obstetric weeks .

It should be noted that pregnant women for the second and third time are usually more confident and calm about the baby, so they may, on the contrary, listen less to the movements occurring inside. And having a child (children), especially a small one, often does not allow you to monitor a new pregnancy very closely. Therefore, mommy can feel the first movements at about the same time as the first time - at about 20 weeks. In any case, the task of the expectant mother is to promptly visit the gynecologist monitoring the pregnancy, take the necessary tests and report any reasons for concern. Don't panic unnecessarily, and everything will be fine.

It is quite difficult to answer the question of when a baby should start moving in the stomach. There are only average periods - 16-24 obstetric weeks of pregnancy. Usually it is at this time that most women feel the first movements of the fetus. If something bothers you (you don’t feel any movements, you are very worried about the baby), be sure to contact the obstetrician-gynecologist who is observing you. Only he can completely dispel your worries.

First movements: what are they? Feelings when a baby starts to move

First pregnancy is a mysterious time! Of course, you want to feel the baby’s first movements as soon as possible. But how do you know what they are? Are there any “signs” of movement?

Let's turn to the experience of “experienced” mothers. To the question: “What do the baby’s movements look like?” they answer like this:

• for gentle stroking from the inside;
• butterfly fluttering;
• as if a fish swam;
• feather tickling;
• just light tremors.

As you can see, the subjective sensations of pregnant women when the baby moves for the first time are very different. They depend not only on the “poetry” of a woman’s mood, but also on the individual characteristics of her body. Fragile, thin pregnant women will feel movements earlier, but they will also probably feel lighter kicks of the baby in the stomach.

Some women find it difficult to recognize the baby's movements because they confuse it with intestinal peristalsis. It’s as if something is overflowing or rolling in the stomach. And if you observe carefully, it will become clear that this is not the intestines at all. As your pregnancy progresses, you will be able to easily determine the cause of movements in your tummy.

The day when the baby in your belly begins to move becomes an extraordinary milestone in pregnancy. You can truly feel a new life developing within. The feeling of the first movements is always accompanied by vivid emotions, and this is not surprising. The baby's kicks are one of the important ways of his intrauterine communication with his mother. Soon you will notice your baby's reaction to your voice and the voices of loved ones, changes in activity in response to your mood, time of day and different foods. It will be very interesting to watch the baby's movements.

We wish you an easy pregnancy and pleasant “communication” with the baby in your tummy!

Fetal movements are an unforgettable feeling that a woman experiences during pregnancy. From the moment the fact of pregnancy is confirmed, the woman impatiently waits for the baby to start moving. The first fetal movement appears already at 8 weeks of pregnancy. It is a reflex and appears with the beginning of the child’s nervous system.

Such motor activity is not felt by the woman - the fetus has not yet grown to the required size. A pregnant woman begins to feel movements much later, when the baby reaches the required size. Based on the first movements, the doctor calculates and records the approximate date of birth in the exchange card.

How long does it take for movement to appear?

From the 12th week of pregnancy, when the placenta is formed, the fetus increases in size and gradually occupies the uterine cavity. By week 16, he reacts to external stimuli (loud sounds, bright lights) and actively makes movements in response to them. But not all women feel tremors at this time. IN Normally, noticeable fetal movements appear before the 24th week of pregnancy. This range of occurrence of perceptible activity is determined by the following factors:

• What kind of pregnancy?

During the first pregnancy, movements are detected at a later stage around the 20th week. For repeated pregnancies - from 16 weeks. In multiple pregnancies, movements appear much earlier. Some women claim that they felt active movements from the 14th week of pregnancy.

• Individual sensitivity threshold.
• The physique of the expectant mother.

If a woman is thin, then she feels movements and shocks better. With a dense body, sensitivity decreases.

• Attachment of the placenta.

If it occurs to the anterior uterine wall, then the tremors will begin to be felt later.

• Fetal position.

When the baby is positioned with his back to the front wall of the uterus, movements are felt less. Distinct tremors are felt when the baby’s limbs touch the uterus along the front surface.

• Lifestyle of a pregnant woman.

If a woman leads an active lifestyle during pregnancy, she may not notice the fetus moving. In a calm state the situation changes.

• Emotional mood of a woman. With positive emotions and a desire to feel her baby faster, the pregnant woman pays close attention to all changes in the body, catching even the weakest tremors.

How does a woman feel when she moves?

It can be difficult to recognize the first movement. These tremors are perceived by a woman as rumbling in the stomach or intestinal peristalsis. Those pregnant women who managed to recognize the movement compare this phenomenon with the movement of the wings of a butterfly if it is placed between the palms and a closed space is created. For some pregnant women, fetal movements resemble tickling, bursting bubbles, or gurgling in the abdomen.

The baby's first movements in the stomach may resemble stroking. Fetal movements during pregnancy in the early stages of pregnancy are often felt like a pulse in the abdomen. In later stages, the child’s body part that makes the movement is clearly identified. This could be an arm, leg, head or buttocks. Movements often bring discomfort and pain - shocks occur in the area of ​​the liver, stomach, diaphragm, and bladder.

Normal fetal movements

Over the course of 9 months, the baby grows and develops, its body size increases, and by the end of pregnancy it is in cramped conditions. During pregnancy, the number of movements also changes. The child is in motion most of the time, the lull occurs during sleep.

By the 20th week of pregnancy, fetal movements reach 200 times per day. At 26–30 weeks – about 600 movements.

Subsequently, the number of active movements decreases, and before childbirth they become rare. It is worth noting that a pregnant woman does not feel more than half of the movements. On average, movements occur 10–15 times in one hour. During the period when the child is sleeping, they are normally absent for up to 3 hours. Fetal mobility depends on the following factors:

• Physical stress experienced by a pregnant woman. The calmer the woman behaves, the more actively the fetus performs movements.
• Nutritional pattern of a pregnant woman. If a woman is hungry, the baby moves more and the kicks are felt more strongly. When eating sweets, movements become more active.
• Times of Day. Maximum activity in the fetus appears in the evening and at night.
• Incorrect body position of a pregnant woman. At the same time, the fetus begins to move strongly and frequently, causing pain in the woman.
• Psycho-emotional state of a woman. Under severe tension (stress, fear), the fetus may be overly active or, conversely, subside.
• Ambient sounds and bright light cause an increase in motor activity or, conversely, its subsidence.

Fetal movements before delivery

Approximately 2 weeks before birth, motor activity decreases and the nature of movements changes. This is due to the cessation of uterine growth and cramped conditions in the womb. The child gains strength before being born. During this period, it descends into the pelvis with the presenting part. The woman feels light, shortness of breath goes away, and it becomes easier to breathe. Strong movements of the fetus are replaced by complete calm, and vice versa. A few days before giving birth, activity may not be detected at all or may be too vigorous.

Counting methods

A deviation in the number of movements from the average values, up or down, is noted as an unfavorable sign. Such changes indicate oxygen starvation in the child (hypoxia) - chronic or acute, a change in the amount of amniotic fluid. The number of pushes decreases due to excess volume of amniotic fluid; an increase in pushes is associated with hypoxia. You can calculate the number of movements using three methods based on creating graphs or tables:

• Pearson's method.

Active movements are counted over a 12-hour period (9 a.m. – 9 p.m.). It is necessary to create a graph in which to record the time from the start of counting to the tenth movement of the fetus. Normally, he will make ten movements within one hour. If fetal movements have not reached ten within an hour, you need to try to provoke them: stroke the stomach, eat chocolate or candy, turn on pleasant music or sounds of nature. Then resume counting. If in the future the child remains passive, you should consult a gynecologist.

• Cardiff way.

Active movements are counted over 12 hours. The pregnant woman must independently choose the time to start counting. The graph records the starting time of counting and the tenth movement of the fetus. If the tenth movement appeared before 12 o'clock, no further calculations are carried out. If ten tremors are not recorded within a 12-hour time interval, you must visit a doctor for examination.

• Sadowski's method.

Fetal movements during pregnancy are calculated using this method during the period of fetal activity (7 hours–23 hours). The graph marks the time when the counting began, the woman takes a horizontal position on her side. If the child has made ten active movements in 60–120 minutes, the counting stops. If movements have not reached ten times during this period, it is necessary to undergo additional examination by a gynecologist.

Movements during pregnancy with twins or triplets

With the development of a multiple pregnancy, motor activity is felt more strongly, and the tremors become more intense. A multiple pregnancy makes itself felt earlier than a singleton pregnancy, at about 14 weeks. The tremors of the fetus that has taken a position near the anterior wall of the uterus will be pronounced. To calculate motor activity, the Sadowski, Cardiff or Pearson method is used, but the resulting values ​​are multiplied by the number of children in the womb.

Fetal movements during pregnancy are a vital sign. He makes it clear that the child is alive and growing. But don’t panic if noticeable tremors have not appeared by the 16th week of pregnancy. To reassure you, you can undergo an unscheduled ultrasound examination and make sure that the pregnancy is developing and the child is growing. If the movements were felt well, and they became much smaller, or they stopped altogether, you should immediately consult a doctor for examination. This will help prevent adverse consequences.