The last weeks of pregnancy are a very special stage, when the desire to finally see our child’s face is mixed with the fear of childbirth and the confused feeling of sadness because one of the most wonderful and unique stages of our life ends: the pregnancy.
But while the moment of birth arrives, we still have wonderful moments to live with our little one, since in the final stretch of gestation, from week 35, we feel its movements more intensely inside our gut because it has less space, which encourages us to communicate more with him.
Because, although fetal movements are perceived by mothers approximately from week 18-22, they reach their maximum intensity from week 28, in which we perfectly notice the movements of their limbs, which we recognize as “kicks” . This is pointed out by Dr. Zaida Furió, a gynecologist at the Vithas Aguas Vivas Hospital (Valencia) who explains what we perceive and why in the last stage of pregnancy, and how we can know that our baby is preparing to meet us.
This is how we perceive the movements of our baby in the womb
During the first weeks of pregnancy, the movements increase in intensity and frequency, until the 28th week of gestation. Thereafter, there may be a decrease in the perception of fetal movements at certain times due to an increase in the sleep periods of the fetus, a totally physiological and normal situation during the third trimester of pregnancy.
In addition, although there can be many differences between one baby and another, at the beginning of week 35 our little one weighs around 2,400 kilos and measures 47 cm. From here until the moment of delivery it grows at an accelerated rate: between 200 and 300 grams per week. That means that it has less and less space and we can feel more sudden movements: kicks, elbows, fists … We also clearly notice rhythmic beats when our baby has hiccups. According to the doctor, “these respiratory movements can be considered a sign of fetal well-being.”
While you are on the move, doing your daily tasks, you may not be aware of your baby’s movements. There are also other factors that can alter the perception of fetal movements, such as the amount of amniotic fluid, being overweight, maternal stress, the consumption of certain drugs, prolonged fasting or long periods of standing. When standing.), The baby’s own weight inside the uterus, makes it place a little lower and it does not have as much freedom to move.
Therefore, it is recommended that you lie lightly on your left side so that you can clearly feel how it moves. In this position, the spinal column is more relaxed, and the baby has greater freedom of movement in the amniotic fluid. You will see how wonderful it is to feel the baby inside you. You can stimulate him and communicate with him through caresses on the gut and by putting music or talking to him, although it has not been proven that he can hear anything outside.
Because in the last trimester of gestation the baby responds to sound and movement stimuli. Feel the caresses of the mother, see the light through the womb and, of course, listen to the voices of those around him and especially that of mother. He already remembers and feels the environment, and reacts intensely to emotional storms or mother’s fatigue.
Stopping to feel the baby to check that it is okay
It is important to become aware of fetal movements throughout the nine months and, of course, at the end of pregnancy, because they indicate a correct fetal well-being. The decrease in the maternal perception of these movements has been related to certain risk situations for the baby: premature birth, low birth weight or it can even indicate a life-threatening situation that ends with the loss of the baby.
But no fetus moves the same as another, neither with the same intensity nor with the same rhythm. Each baby has its own patterns, so the mother must observe them to follow up. Since they have a different way of moving and there is no ideal movement pattern, the important thing is to check that their activity level does not change too much, to know that everything is going well.
Typically, during the day, with maternal activity, the baby remains calm and moves less , while at night, as soon as the mother calms down, the ‘rocking’ effect ends and the baby is usually more active. .
Diet also influences their activity: consuming sweet foods increases the mother’s blood glucose levels, which will pass to the baby through the placenta. That translates into more activity for the baby in the womb.
When the woman has doubts about whether there is enough fetal activity, from about 30 or 32 weeks, Dr. Zaira Furió recommends carrying out a directed count of the number of movements.
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It is advisable to always do it at the same time of day, such as at night after dinner, when they are usually most active.
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Lying slightly on your side, note the time you start and count ten movements of the baby, which can be from a forceful kick, a gentle movement, a turn or a shudder.
- Now write down the time when the baby has made the tenth movement. They normally perform all ten movements in a span of two hours, although there are more active babies who can perform them in less than half an hour.
It may also be that some days do the ten movements in twenty minutes and the next day in two hours, but the important thing is that no more than two hours pass without you noticing movements if the baby is awake. Still, it is not an exact count. Also keep in mind that towards the end of the pregnancy the baby has less room to move and his activity may decrease a little during the last weeks.
In addition, a change in the usual pattern of fetal movements should be discussed with the midwife or a gynecologist. And go immediately to the emergency room if there is a complete absence of movements for two hours after eating a food rich in sugar.
Photos | iStock
In Babies and More | How to count the movements of the baby in your womb, The nine most frequently asked questions about the tummy in pregnancy: all the answers
