28 weeks pregnant baby movement slowed
Baby movements in pregnancy | Tommy's
You may feel your baby move as early as 16 weeks of pregnancy, but most women usually feel something between 18 and 24 weeks. If this is your first pregnancy, you may not notice your baby’s movements until you are more than 20 weeks pregnant.
Tommy's has developed a guide to baby movements in partnership with NHS England on baby's movements in pregnancy. It is available in ten languages at the bottom of this page.
What does a movement feel like?
Baby movements in the womb, also known as fetal movements or ‘kicks’, can feel like anything from a flutter, kick, swish or roll. The type of movement may change as your pregnancy progresses.
How often should my baby move?
There is no set number of normal movements you should be feeling – every baby is different. Get to know how your baby moves.
From 18-24 weeks on you should feel the baby move more and more. After 32 weeks, the movements will stay roughly the same until you give birth.
- It is NOT TRUE that babies move less towards the end of pregnancy.
- You should CONTINUE to feel your baby move right up to the time you go into labour and during labour.
Get to know your baby’s normal kicks and movements.
DO NOT WAIT until the next day to seek advice if you are worried about your baby’s movements
Contact your midwife or maternity unit immediately if you think your baby’s movements have slowed down, stopped or changed. There are staff on the hospital maternity unit 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- DO NOT put off calling until the next day to see what happens.
- Do not worry about phoning. It is important for your doctors and midwives to know if your baby’s movements have slowed down or stopped.
Find out what should happen when you report reduced fetal movement
Why are my baby’s movements important?
Feeling your baby move is a sign they are well.
If your baby moves less or if you notice a change this can sometimes be an important warning sign that a baby is unwell. If you get the right treatment and care as soon as you can this could save your baby’s life.
Is there anything that can affect being able to feel my baby move?
You may be less likely to be aware of your baby’s movements when you are active or busy.
If your placenta is at the front of your uterus (womb), it may not be easy for you to feel your baby’s movements. If your baby’s back is lying at the front of your uterus, you may feel fewer movements than if his or her back is lying alongside your own back.
But don’t assume this is why you can’t feel your baby’s movements. If you think your baby’s movements have slowed down, stopped or changed contact your midwife or maternity unit immediately. It’s always best to get checked.
Your baby lying head down or bottom first will not affect whether you can feel them move.
Can I make my baby move?
No, you should not try to make your baby move.
If you think your baby’s movements have slowed down, stopped or changed contact your midwife or maternity unit immediately.
Can I use a home doppler to check on my baby?
Do not use any hand-held monitors, dopplers or phone apps to check your baby’s heartbeat. Even if you think you detect a heartbeat, this does not mean your baby is well because it might be your own heartbeat. You need to be checked by a healthcare professional.
Find out more about why using home devices are not a safe way of checking your baby’s health.
You need to be monitored by a cardiotocography machine or a midwife who can interpret the baby’s heartbeat.
Any care or treatment that could save a baby needs to be done when the baby has a heartbeat.
What happens if my baby's movements have slowed down?
Less than 24 weeks pregnant
Contact your midwife if you have never felt your baby move by 24 weeks. They will check your baby’s heartbeat. You may have an ultrasound scan and you may be referred to a specialist fetal medicine centre to check your baby's health.
Between 24 and 28 weeks pregnant
You should contact your midwife or local maternity unit immediately. Do not wait until the next day or next appointment.
You will have a full antenatal check-up that includes checking the size of your uterus, measuring your blood pressure and testing your urine for protein. If your uterus measures smaller or larger than expected, you may have an ultrasound scan to check on your baby’s growth and development.
Over 28 weeks
You should contact your midwife or local maternity unit immediately. Do not wait until the next day or next appointment.
You will have a full antenatal check-up, your baby's heart rate will be monitored to reassure you about your baby's wellbeing. This is done with a cardiotocograph monitor.
An ultrasound scan may be arranged if:
- your womb is smaller or larger than expected
- you have a high risk pregnancy
- the heart rate is normal but you still feel that your baby's movements are slower or less
- you have had reduced fetal movements already in your pregnancy.
If the movements have slowed down does it mean my baby is not well?
Fewer movements could mean that your baby is unwell, but usually these checks reveal that everything is OK. Most women who have experienced one episode of fewer movements go on to have a straightforward pregnancy and healthy baby. However it is very important that you are checked to make sure everything is OK.
What if my baby’s movements are reduced again?
If, after your check up, you are still not happy with your baby’s movement, you must contact either your midwife or maternity unit straight away, even if everything was OK last time.
NEVER HESITATE to contact your midwife or the maternity unit for advice, no matter how many times this happens.
Download the leaflet
The leaflet Feeling your baby move is a sign that they are well is available to download in English and many different languages.
My baby's movements have slowed down
Fetal movements can be anything from a flutter, kick, swish or roll.
These can be felt as early as 18 weeks of pregnancy (or even sooner in later pregnancies), but many women don’t feel them until later.
When should I start feeling the baby start moving in.
You may be able to feel the baby move as early as 18 weeks into your pregnancy. If it is your second or third baby, you may feel the movement even earlier. However, baby movements before 28 weeks can be changeable and not have a regular pattern.
This could be because of the baby’s position in the womb or the position of the placenta. It is also likely to be due to the fact the baby is small at this time, and therefore has smaller movements. If you have been on your feet or busy all day, you are also less likely to feel the baby’s movements than when you are resting.
What happens to fetal movements in later pregnancy?
Babies should continue to move normally throughout pregnancy and you should even continue to feel them while you are in labor. As babies get big the movements feel different but they should still follow their usual pattern right up to the end.
It is not true that babies ‘slow down’ as labor approaches, but they have less space to move in.
During your pregnancy you should try to be aware of your baby’s movement patterns. If the movements slow down or change it could be a sign that your baby is unwell and you should contact your midwife immediately.
Do I need to count the kicks?
There isn’t enough evidence to say that counting kicks throughout pregnancy helps. It is more important to be aware of the pattern of movements throughout the pregnancy and to seek help if they slow down.
What should I do if I’m not sure whether fetal movements have slowed down?
If you are unsure whether movements are have slowed or changed, you should lie on your left side and focus on the baby’s movements for two hours.
If you do not feel ten or more movements in two hours, you should contact your midwife inmediatly.
What happens if my baby’s movements have slowed down?
If you are unsure whether movements are have slowed or changed, you should lie on your left side and focus on the baby’s movements for two hours.
If you do not feel ten or more movements in two hours, you should contact your midwife immediatly.
Less than 24 weeks pregnant
If by 24 weeks you have never felt your baby move, you should contact your midwife, who will check your baby’s heartbeat. You may have an ultrasound scan and you may be referred to a specialist fetal medicine center (perinatologist) to check your baby’s health.
Between 24 and 28 weeks pregnant
You should contact your midwife immediately. Do not wait until the next day or next appointment.
You will have a full prenatal check-up. If anything is unusual you may have an ultrasound scan to check on your baby.
Over 28 weeks
You will have a full prenatal check-up, your baby’s heart rate will be monitored to reassure you about your baby’s wellbeing.
An ultrasound scan may be arranged if:
• Your womb is smaller than expected
• you have a high risk pregnancy
• the heart rate is normal but you still feel that your baby’s movements are slower or less.
If the movements have slowed down does it mean my b
Fewer movements could mean that your baby is unwell, but usually these checks reveal that all is well. Most women who have experienced one episode of fewer movements have a straightforward pregnancy and healthy baby.
Sources
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Reduced fetal movements, Green-top guideline 57, London RCOG, 2011
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Your baby’s movements in pregnancy: information for you, London RCOG, 2012
is how many months. Development of the fetus, weight of the child, photo of the abdomen, ultrasound
Many women wonder, the 28th week of pregnancy is how many months? Obstetricians consider the gestational age not by months, but by weeks - from the first day of the last menstruation. Such calculations are more accurate and allow you to track how the child is developing, and whether the rate of growth and weight gain is normal.
Therefore, it is not necessary to calculate which month of pregnancy is going on - it is better to focus on the generally accepted obstetric terms.
What happens in a woman's body at the 28th week of pregnancy
At the end of the second trimester of pregnancy, the total weight gain of the expectant mother is about 6-8 kilograms. Even if there was toxicosis in the early stages - with severe symptoms and weight loss, by the 28th week of pregnancy there is no trace of it. A woman gains 300-500 g per week. Weight gain depends on the initial body weight of the expectant mother, lifestyle, nutrition and other factors.
At the 28-29th week of pregnancy, the expectant mother noticeably rounds her belly.
It is believed that the shape of the belly can predict who will be born - a boy or a girl. This is not true. The shape of the abdomen is genetically determined, and also depends on the nature of nutrition and the development of the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall - but is in no way related to the sex of the child.
Women's health: what you need to know at the 28th week of pregnancy
At the 28th week of pregnancy, many expectant mothers face one unpleasant symptom - compression of the inferior vena cava. Typical symptoms - tinnitus, palpitations, dizziness - occur only in the supine position, when the enlarged uterus presses on the vein. The condition improves if you change position - for example, lie on your side, sit down or stand up. The main thing is to do it slowly so as not to provoke a new attack of dizziness and weakness.
At 28-29 weeks of pregnancy, many women notice swelling in their arms and legs. Such edema is not dangerous until they progress and are not accompanied by an increase in blood pressure. But even if nothing else bothers you, you should definitely inform your doctor about them.
Drawing pain in the region of the sacrum, womb, and lower back is another common companion of pregnancy. This is normal - the child grows, the uterus and ligaments stretch, discomfort appears.
You should not worry, but you should inform your doctor about them. Similar symptoms appear with some complications of pregnancy.
Important!
If you experience any unpleasant and unusual sensations during pregnancy, you should consult a gynecologist!
What happens to the fetus at the 28th week of pregnancy
At the 28th week of pregnancy, the baby continues to grow actively. The weight of the fetus approaches 1.2 kg, and the height reaches 35-37 cm. The baby is constantly in motion. All the time until he sleeps, he studies his body and the surrounding space. The baby rolls over, touches his face, can suck his thumb and swallow amniotic fluid. He is learning to distinguish sounds coming from outside, and is already responding to the voice of mom or dad with confident jolts.
At the end of the second trimester, the cerebral cortex develops. The sense organs of the fetus are fully formed. Pigment accumulates in the iris of the eye, but there is still very little of it.
That is why almost all children are born blue-eyed. Eye color changes later - during the first months of life after birth.
At 28 weeks pregnant, baby's skin remains bright pink and thin. Adipose tissue is laid, so far mainly in places of natural folds. The growth of hair on the head and the accumulation of pigment in them continues.
At the 28th week of pregnancy, the formation of the lungs of the fetus is completed. They begin to accumulate surfactant - a substance that prevents the alveoli from sticking together. The development of the endocrine system also continues. The child has his own rhythm of hormone production.
Fetal movements at the 28th week of pregnancy: how to calculate
At this time, the baby occupies almost the entire space in the uterus. His movements become more and more palpable. The expectant mother notices how the child rolls over, kicks her legs in the stomach. Fetal movements can cause discomfort, especially if they give in the hypochondrium or perineum - but there should be no pain.
If the movements become painful, it is worth informing the doctor about it.
Expectant mothers are advised to count fetal movements according to the rule of ten:
- Select a 12-hour observation period, for example, from 8 am to 8 pm.
- Fix the time when the first fetal movements begin - for example, at 8.30.
- Note when the tenth stirring will occur - for example, at 16.30.
There should be 10 movements in 12 hours. If less, you need to see a doctor. For movements, they consider not a separate kick with a leg, but a group of movements. For example, if the baby rolled over and settled comfortably, it would be just one movement.
If at 28 weeks' gestation the baby does not move for more than 12 hours in a row, you should immediately consult a doctor!
indicator
Norma at the 28th week of pregnancy
Mother's weight gain
+ 6-8 kg from the starting weight
Standing the bottom of the uterus
24-26 cm
The weight of the fetus
1200 g- 1300 g
Fetal growth
35-37 cm
Examinations at 28 weeks of gestation
At this time, a scheduled examination is not carried out.
If the future mother is doing well, the baby moves regularly and actively, there are no complaints - she only needs to visit the gynecologist regularly. In the second half of pregnancy, a meeting with the doctor takes place every two weeks. At the appointment, the gynecologist conducts a general examination, measures the circumference of the abdomen and the height of the uterine fundus, assesses the woman's blood pressure and pulse. Be sure to listen to the fetal heartbeat with a stethoscope.
If there are deviations in the development of the fetus and the course of pregnancy, the gynecologist may prescribe an examination - to pass tests, to do an ultrasound scan. With the help of ultrasound at this time, it is possible to determine the weight of the fetus and its growth, assess the rate of its development and the condition of the placenta, and calculate the volume of amniotic fluid.
Ultrasound can also show how the fetus is positioned. Usually - head down, but it can be vice versa.
There is no need to worry - many babies roll over as they should by the 31st-32nd week of pregnancy.
Useful tips for expectant mothers
The end of the second trimester is the time to start getting ready to meet your baby: read specialized literature, communicate with experienced mothers and attend courses for pregnant women. It is important to study how the birth will take place, perhaps - to choose a doctor and a maternity hospital. Find out how to care for a newborn and what to prepare for his birth. Be sure to learn all about breastfeeding. Properly adjusted lactation is the key to the health of the baby and the peace of the mother.
Now you know how a child develops at the 28th week of pregnancy, and what changes occur in the body of a future mother. If you have questions or doubts, you should tell your doctor about them.
- 1. Obstetrics: national leadership: Ailamazyan E.K., Savelyeva G.M., Radzinsky V.E.
- 2. Normal pregnancy. Clinical guidelines, 2019.
- 3. Order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation of October 20, 2020 N 1130n "On approval of the Procedure for the provision of medical care in the field of obstetrics and gynecology."
- 4. WHO antenatal care guidelines for a positive pregnancy experience, 2017.
- Obstetrician-gynecologist (Southern State Medical University, Faculty of Pediatrics, specialization at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology)
Others articles by the author
28 weeks of pregnancy what happens to the fetus
Contents
The seventh month of pregnancy is coming to an end. During this period, there is a significant growth of the fetus due to the buildup of fatty tissue. The size of the baby reaches 34 cm, and the weight is 1000-1200 grams.
Baby's skin is still red and thin. He reacts to light, opens his eyes. The exploration of one's own possibilities does not stop. The baby boldly moves, somersaults, sucks a finger, hiccups, plays with the umbilical cord.
The voice of the mother and other relatives becomes more and more recognizable. And talking with the baby helps to establish psychological contact. Connect to such "conversations" and the father of the child. This will have a beneficial effect on the calm course of pregnancy in the mother.
What happens to the baby at 28 weeks?
The internal organs of the baby continue to improve against the background of the rapid growth of the body.
- More and more convolutions are formed in the brain.
- The liver begins to secrete bile, and the pancreas - enzymes. Improves intestinal peristalsis.
- All respiratory structures have formed in the lungs. This system is almost ready to work independently outside the womb.
- At the 28th week of pregnancy, the baby's visual skills are already so developed that he can focus his eyes on one point for a while. Swallowing amniotic fluid, he distinguishes their taste and smell.
- The lightened skin of the child is covered with a layer of fat, which is responsible for the heat exchange of the baby.
His body becomes stout and takes on rounded shapes. - The kidneys are actively working, which daily remove urine from the body.
What happens to the mother at the 28th week of pregnancy?
Now the mother regularly feels the baby's movements. With the help of pushes, the child tries to communicate, showing his positive or negative emotions. For example, he may be uncomfortable with the position in which the mother is. Try to change your position until the baby calms down.
- Women's breasts continue to grow. The mammary glands are preparing for future lactation. Due to the high level of progesterone, the mammary glands become hypersensitive, sometimes a slight tingling may be felt.
- May experience drowsiness, fatigue, weakness. Very often, the cause of this can be a decrease in hemoglobin.
- The expectant mother should count the number of movements of the baby per day. Discuss with your doctor how much movement you should have during a certain period of the day.
- Sometimes, due to a shift in the center of gravity, a woman may experience pain in the lower back.
- If pain occurs in the lower abdomen or hypochondrium, then this may be due to the activity of the child. However, if your condition worsens, see your doctor immediately.
- At week 28, the volume of amniotic fluid increases significantly. This can cause back pain.
If you periodically experience uterine contractions, then most likely these are training contractions that prepare the body for the upcoming birth. They should not cause discomfort and last a very long time (usually no more than 2 minutes).
If you notice that the smell of discharge has become sharp and unpleasant, as well as a change in color and consistency, this is a reason to immediately consult a doctor. Normally, your discharge should be light in color, of a uniform consistency and without a strong odor.
If the discharge has become watery, this may indicate leakage of amniotic fluid.
