Pregnancy Tips Regarding the Movement of the Baby

One of the greatest joys that a mom-to-be experiences is feeling the movements of her baby. The movements of the baby can be felt as early as 13 weeks, but it is not uncommon for fetal movement not to be felt until 24 weeks. Once the baby is felt moving, it is a good idea to monitor the kicks, punches and rolls. A decrease or stopping of fetal movement can indicate a problem.

  1. The quickening

    • The first fetal movements are known as the quickening. Mothers have reported that it feels like butterflies or bubbles. Early in the pregnancy, it is common not to feel the baby move that often. The baby is still small and how often you will feel his movements depends on his placement in the womb.

    Charting the baby's movements

    • In the third trimester, it is a good idea to start charting the baby's movements. According to the American Pregnancy Association, around 28 weeks, you should be feeling at least 10 kicks in a two-hour time period. If you do not feel those 10 kicks, drink a glass of milk or eat a healthy snack and try again. The baby may have been sleeping and the sugar from your snack might make her active again. If you still do not feel at least 10 kicks in that two-hour time period, call your physician.

    Bonding

    • When charting the baby's movements, start paying attention to his sleeping patterns. Babies spend a lot of time sleeping in the womb, but they have periods of active awake time as well. When the baby is due to have an active time, spend some time singing or reading to him so that he will get used to your voice. Invite your husband to participate as well so that he can bond with your baby before he is born.

    Frantic movements

    • While the lack of fetal movement could indicate a problem, the sudden increase of fetal movements should be a cause for concern as well. As the pregnancy progresses, the baby's movements will slow down a little as she runs out of room. If you are in the third trimester and the baby starts moving around in a frantic state, it could be a sign of fetal distress. It is better to be safe than sorry, so any dramatic increase in fetal movement warrants a call to the doctor.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • Differences Between a Fetus & Newborn
      Fetus is a term used to describe a baby before he or she is born. The term is applied to a human embryo that has reached the eleventh week of gestation. The term newborn is generally used to describe babies who are less than 28 days old.
    • What Are the Causes of Leukorrhea?
      Leukorrhea is vaginal discharge that occurs naturally. It appears normally during pregnancy as a thin, milky, white substance and has little or no odor. As pregnancy progresses, the amount usually increases. Leukorrhea can also occur in women that ar
    • Maternity Grants for Pregnant Women
      Pregnancy, while a time of great happiness to many women, can be a time of great financial difficulty as well. Women who are unable to work due to medical complications during their pregnancy may have difficulty finding the funds to pay for necessiti