Pregnancy

Is it normal for it to move so much? Fetal life in the belly

What does it mean when the fetus moves a lot? When are fetal movements excessive and what are the causes? Although the concerns usually concern a decrease in movement, feeling that your baby is “moving too much” alarms many mothers-to-be. So let’s see what it means when the fetus is very active in the belly.

In the third trimester of pregnancy, the baby’s movements in the belly are a daily companion, both day and night.

Over time, mothers learn to recognize the movements of the baby they carry in their womb, distinguishing when it kicks from when it has the hiccups , and become familiar with what gradually becomes a routine in the belly. Any changes in this routine should be monitored and reported to your doctor, as they could be a sign of a problem.

As Claudia Ravaldi of CiaoLapo.it reminds us :

Fetal movement studies agree that baby movements are unique to each baby and do NOT change at term. They DO NOT decrease, DO NOT weaken, DO NOT increase.
International scholars ask mothers to consult an obstetrician and gynecologist if they notice any  variations from the norm .
Trained midwives and doctors are able to appropriately welcome the woman who notices a change in the baby’s movements, and assess the state of well-being appropriately.

Concerns are generally about a decrease in usual movements , but hearing about “excessive movements” also alarms expectant mothers.

Is it normal for it to move so much?  This is a really recurring question in the groups of fertile period mothers.  So let’s see what it means if the fetus moves a lot in the belly and when to worry.

The baby’s movements in the belly

The fetal movements we feel in pregnancy mean that the baby is growing, both in size and strength . Research, including this 2016 study , shows that expectant mothers can be attuned to their baby’s activity, being able to understand variations in terms of:

  • frequency of movement (less or more often than expected);
  • intensity of movement (weaker or stronger than expected);
  • duration of movement (shorter or longer than expected);
  • movement characteristics (change from the usual mode, slower or faster than expected).

Excessive fetal movements: what are the causes?

If your baby is very active in the tummy , friends and family may tell you stories and urban legends that a future baby who moves a lot will be smart, chatty, or particularly athletic . These claims  are largely unfounded .

Another belief is that a fetus that moves a lot would tend to be born earlier . Again, this is just a myth.

Your doctor will explain that to promote healthy bone and joint development , your child needs exercise. So this activity is generally a normal and healthy movement , which has no correlation with the character of your little one or with the kind of person he will become, much less with the due date .

When does fetal movement increase in the belly?

Babies are often more active at certain times of the day , such as after eating or when mom is lying down (on the contrary, movement, such as going for a walk, can put them to sleep).

Also, if your stomach is full (and therefore taking up more space), you may be able to feel its movements even better.

Every pregnancy is different

Remember that no two pregnancies are exactly alike. Friends and family can tell you stories about their pregnancies and compare their babies’ activity level to yours. You yourself, in a previous pregnancy, may have perceived more intense and frequent movements or, on the contrary, weaker and less numerous.

All children are different, but in most cases an active child is a healthy child .

The strength of the child’s kicks

The first movements , which are usually felt around 18-20 weeks of pregnancy , are extremely exciting. At first they are light, like a flutter in the stomach, but gradually they get stronger and stronger.

How strong?

Many people don’t realize how strong a baby can be in the womb. A 2018 study estimated the average displacement of the uterine wall due to kicks: between 20 and 30 weeks of gestation, it is around 11 mm. The force of fetal kicks increases significantly over time, from approximately 29 to 47 N between 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy (where N stands for Newton, a measure of force).

Counting the baby’s movements

By the third trimester , your gynecologist will most likely ask you to monitor your baby’s movements .

She may suggest that you count the movements  your baby makes in a specific amount of time (usually 10 minutes). This count should be done at the same time each day, so that changes in usual activity can be monitored . The ideal time is in the evening or after eating, when fetal activity tends to be greatest.

A decrease in fetal movements

If your baby becomes less active than usual, tell your gynecologist or midwife right away. A decrease in fetal movement may indicate a potential problem that needs to be addressed early.

If you can’t feel your baby’s movements after 24 weeks , talk to the gynecologist or midwife who is following your pregnancy, to make sure everything is normal.

 

Dr Kathryn Barlow

Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.

Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.

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