Experiencing the baby's movements within one's womb during pregnancy
Expectant parents often wonder about the sensations they'll feel as their baby grows and develops inside them. These movements, known as quickening, can range from gentle flutters to strong kicks and hiccups. Here's a guide to help you understand what to expect and how to monitor your baby's movements.
Early fetal movements, often described as a gentle flutter or bubbling feeling, are usually noticed between 16 and 25 weeks of pregnancy, although this can vary. By the third trimester, these movements typically become stronger and more distinct, recognisable as kicks or rolls. Some mothers may even feel their baby's movements temporarily impacting their breathing.
Fetal hiccups, a rhythmic or pulsating sensation, occur due to contractions of the baby's developing diaphragm as the fetus practices breathing by "inhaling" amniotic fluid. This helps with lung development in the womb.
Several factors can influence the perception of fetal movements. The location of the placenta, amniotic fluid volume, the baby's position, and the time of day all play a role. For instance, when the placenta is positioned anteriorly (at the front of the uterus), it can cushion movements, making kicks and flutters less noticeable to the mother. On the other hand, adequate amniotic fluid volume is essential to provide space for the baby to move freely, while less room in the womb as the fetus grows can cause the fetus to move less.
Paying attention to fetal movement can alert parents and healthcare providers to potential problems. Most women should feel at least 10 kicks during a 2-3 hour active period. If movements become significantly less frequent or stop, medical advice should be sought promptly. It's also important to count kicks starting around the 28th week of pregnancy.
Different factors can affect how much a pregnant woman feels her baby move, including the placenta's position, amniotic fluid levels, and the fetus's position. Different kinds of fetal movements may be felt, such as fluttering, rolling, swimming, tumbling, flipping, elbowing, kicking, squirming, and pressing.
Babies tend to be more active at night, which is thought to be due to fewer external distractions and the mother being more still, making movements easier to detect. Less room in the womb as the fetus grows can also cause the fetus to move less.
If you're concerned about a decrease or change in your baby's movements, it's essential to contact your healthcare provider. A decrease in kicking does not necessarily mean there's a problem, but it's always better to err on the side of caution.
One study found that 40% of women had noticed their babies having hiccups. It's helpful to start counting kicks after they have fallen into a regular pattern. Fetuses will begin moving a few weeks before a woman can feel them, and a sharp increase in fetal movement is reported in the evening by some women.
In summary, understanding fetal movements during pregnancy can help expectant parents know what kinds of movement sensations to expect and when to be aware of possible deviations from normal fetal activity. Consistent fetal movement is generally a reassuring sign of fetal health.
- While shopping for health-and-wellness products, a pregnant woman might consider adding Paxlovid to her cart, as it is an antiviral medication approved for the treatment of COVID-19 in adults and could potentially benefit her unborn baby.
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- If a pregnant woman experiences a significant decrease in her baby's movements, she may consider consulting her healthcare provider to ensure everything is progressing as expected, especially if she has recently started taking Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, as the safety and efficacy of vaccines during pregnancy is a topic of ongoing scientific research.
