Feeling your baby inside your belly is one of the most exciting moments of pregnancy. The baby moves energetically inside the uterus from conception, but in the first weeks you cannot notice it yet. It will be later, between the fourth or fifth month, when you notice the first kicks of your baby moving inside you, and from that moment it will be a constant until the end of pregnancy.
Some women feel that their babies move little , especially when they already have another child and can compare how their movements were with those of the new baby on the way. Why it happens? Why is it that some babies move more than others in the womb? When should we worry and consult with the gynecologist? We clarify all doubts.
How are the movements of the baby inside the uterus
It is usually around week 20 when the mother notices the first movements of her baby , although this data can vary from one woman to another, especially if it is not the first pregnancy. These first movements feel like a bubbling or a flutter; something like feeling a little fish swimming inside you.
As the weeks go by, you will be able to more clearly identify their kicks (which sometimes are not such, but cartwheels, slaps or elbows against the walls of the uterus), becoming a constant day after day.
As you get closer to the end of pregnancy, the baby’s movements feel more strongly , not only because your child is bigger, but because the uterus is getting smaller and with less space to move, it is normal to feel his movements with greater intensity ( although for this reason, they also tend to decrease)
Since there is no number of movements that is considered “normal” and each baby is unique , it is important for the mother to know how and when her baby moves within the womb. For this reason, around week 28-30 of pregnancy, it is recommended to start a record of fetal movements, in order to know well their movement patterns and detect any significant changes that may occur early.
“Why does my baby move little?”
The general patterns of fetal movements vary from one mother to another depending on parameters as diverse as the constitution of the woman, the state of the placenta, feeding or how the baby is positioned within the uterus.
Thus, for example, those women who have more abdominal fat are likely to take longer to notice their baby. Movement s are also usually less perceived when there is a small amount of amniotic fluid (a condition that must be evaluated and followed by the specialist), when the placenta is located in the anterior face of the uterus – since it acts as a cushion that cushions the movement of the uterus. baby-, or when the baby is positioned in such a way that his arms and legs are away from the uterine wall.
When the baby’s movements stop or are suddenly reduced, it is normal to be alarmed, but in most cases it does not imply any problem. If this happens to you it is important that you relax (maternal stress can affect the behavior of the baby in the womb), lie on your left side and try to gently stimulate your baby with music or consuming some food that activates him.
Most likely, in the course of one or two hours, you will notice their movements again, but if this does not happen, you should go to the emergency room so that the gynecologist can check that everything is fine and that there is no loss of fetal well-being. Fetal distress occurs when the baby is not getting enough oxygen, among other causes due to problems in the development of the placenta, delayed intrauterine growth, problems with the cord or infections.
Also the physical health of the mother can affect the baby and cause him to slow down his movements, as in the case of hypoglycemia or if there is an inadequate diet.
Fetal movement is an indicator of the baby’s health
That is why it is essential that the mother is always attentive to the baby’s movements in the womb , knows its patterns and knows when it is normal and when not to stop feeling it (remember that babies also sleep inside the gut, so there are moments of the day when they will be less active).
We must also be aware that, although the movements of the baby tend to slow down gradually as we get closer to the due date due to the little space they have left in the uterus, a reduction in the strength of their babies should not be considered normal. movements or a sharp decline in them.
In case of doubt, do not forget to consult with your doctor or midwife.
Photos | iStock
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