At what time does the fetal movement begin

The first movements of the future baby begin early - already at 7-8 weeks of pregnancy . It was at this time that the first muscles and the rudiments of the nervous system of the fetus are formed. Naturally, at this time, the movements of the embryo are still very primitive - these are muscle contractions in response to nerve impulses.

Approximately from 10 weeks of pregnancy the fetus begins to move more actively in the uterus, and, encountering an obstacle on its way (walls of the uterus), change the trajectory of movements. However, the baby is still very small and the impacts on the uterine wall are very weak, the expectant mother cannot yet feel them. At 11-12 weeks of intrauterine life, a little man already knows how to clench his fists, grimace, frown, by 16 weeks of pregnancy he begins to react to loud, sharp sounds with increased motor activity, at 17 weeks the first facial expressions appear, and at 18 weeks he covers his face with his hands and plays with the umbilical cord, compresses and unclenches the fingers of the hands. nine0003

Gradually, with increasing gestational age, movements become more coordinated and more like conscious. When the baby grows up, the pregnant woman begins to feel his movements.

When does the fetal movement begin during the first and subsequent pregnancies

It is generally accepted that during the first pregnancy, the expectant mother feels the first fetal movements at 20 weeks of pregnancy, with repeated pregnancies - at 18 weeks. This is not entirely true. A mother who is expecting her first child, indeed, most often begins to feel the movements of the fetus a little later than a multiparous woman. This is due to the fact that "experienced" mothers know how the movements of the crumbs are felt at first and what they should feel. Some primigravidas perceive the first movements of the fetus as an increase in intestinal peristalsis, “gaziki”. Many women describe the first movements of the fetus as a feeling of fluid transfusion in the abdomen, "fluttering butterflies" or "swimming fish." nine0003

The first movements are usually rare and irregular. The time of the first sensations of fetal movements naturally depends on the individual sensitivity of the woman. Some future mothers feel the first movements as early as 15-16 weeks, and someone only after 20. Slender women, as a rule, begin to feel movements earlier than full ones. Women who lead an active lifestyle, work hard, usually feel the movements of the fetus later.

By 20 weeks, due to the formation of the spinal cord and brain, as well as the accumulation of a certain amount of muscle mass in the fetus, movements become more regular and noticeable .

From 24 weeks of pregnancy, the movements of the fetus are already reminiscent of the movements of a newborn - the expectant mother feels how the fetus changes position, moves its arms and legs. The motor activity of the fetus increases gradually and its peak falls on the period from the 24th to the 32nd week of pregnancy. At this time, the activity of the baby's movements becomes one of the indicators of its normal development. After 24 weeks, the child begins to "communicate" with the mother with the help of movements, respond to the sounds of voice, music, and the emotional state of the mother. With an increase in the gestational age of more than 32 weeks, the motor activity of the fetus gradually decreases due to the fact that the baby is growing up and he simply does not have enough space for active movements. This becomes especially noticeable at the time of childbirth. By the end of the third trimester of pregnancy, the number of fetal movements may decrease somewhat, but their intensity and strength remain the same or increase. nine0003

Fetal movement rate

The baby in the mother's belly moves almost constantly. At the 20th week of pregnancy, the fetus makes about 200 movements per day, and between the 28th and 32nd weeks, the number of movements reaches 600 per day. Naturally, a pregnant woman does not feel all the movements of the fetus, but only a small part of them. So, after 28 weeks, the frequency of fetal movement, according to the sensations of a woman, is usually 4 to 8 times per hour, with the exception of periods of fetal sleep (3-4 hours in a row). nine0003

In the third trimester, a pregnant woman may notice that her baby has regular sleep and wake cycles. Children are usually most active from 19:00 to 4:00 in the morning, and the period of "rest" occurs more often from 4 to 9:00 in the morning. Of course, the movements of the fetus depend on the mood of the mother, if the mother is worried or happy, the baby can move more actively, or vice versa, calm down. The fact is that when a mother rejoices, her body significantly increases the amount of hormones of joy - endorphins, which regulate the work of the heart and blood vessels, including the vessels of the placenta. During stress or pronounced negative emotions, biologically active substances are also produced - stress hormones, they also affect the work of the heart and blood vessels. It is thanks to this biological interaction between the organisms of mother and baby that the fetus feels the state of the mother. When the expectant mother is resting, the baby usually becomes more active, if the pregnant woman is active, busy with some kind of work, the child most often calms down. The movements also change depending on the satiety of the expectant mother. Usually the baby begins to move actively after the mother eats, especially something sweet. At the same time, the level of glucose in the blood increases sharply, which causes the fetus to be more active. nine0003

Fetal movements are the language in which the unborn child speaks to the mother. Naturally, a pregnant woman should listen to the movements, because in some cases, changes in the movements of the fetus may indicate a violation of its intrauterine state and a not entirely successful pregnancy.

If, after 20 weeks of pregnancy, the expectant mother does not feel the movement of the fetus, it may be worthwhile to see a doctor and make sure that everything is in order with the baby.

Methods for assessing the "sufficiency" of fetal movements

Counting the number of movements

The easiest way to assess fetal movements is to count the number of movements of the pregnant woman herself. Self-assessment methods are very easy to use, do not require additional equipment, the presence of a doctor and are easily reproducible by any woman. Their disadvantages are that each woman has different thresholds of susceptibility.

Count to ten

The most common method for assessing fetal movements is called count to ten . It can be carried out after 28 weeks of pregnancy, when the fetus is mature enough for active movements. Its essence lies in the fact that the expectant mother counts the movements of the fetus for a 12-hour time interval, for example, from 9 am to 9 pm. The time when a pregnant woman catches the tenth movement is recorded on a tablet. If the fetus makes less than 10 movements in 12 hours, this is a reason to consult a doctor for an additional examination.

Sadowski Method

In the evening after dinneruntil 11 p.m.), the woman lies on her left side and counts the movements of the fetus. At the same time, everything is considered, even the smallest movements. If 10 or more movements are noted within an hour, this indicates that the baby is moving quite actively and feels good. If the fetus moved less than 10 times in an hour, then the movements are counted for the next hour. Evening time for this assessment method was not chosen by chance. It is in the evening hours, especially after dinner and the associated increase in glucose, that the greatest activity of the fetus is noted. If the number of fetal movements during this test is less than 10 per two hours, this should be considered as a sign of a violation of his condition and additional studies should be carried out. nine0003

For an obstetrician-gynecologist, fetal movements are also an important diagnostic criterion for some deviations in the course of pregnancy from the norm. Too active, violent, painful fetal movement or weak, rare movements may indicate its unfavorable condition.

Changes in fetal activity

Changes in fetal activity may be associated with external influences. For example, if a pregnant woman lies on her back for a long time, then the enlarged uterus compresses a large vessel - the inferior vena cava, the blood flow to the fetus is disrupted, which immediately causes its violent reaction - active movements. The same changes in the activity of the baby can occur in any other uncomfortable position of the mother - if she leans forward, squeezing her stomach, sits with her legs crossed, the child forces her mother to change her position with her activity. A similar situation occurs if the baby himself squeezes or presses the loops of the umbilical cord, limiting the flow of blood through it. He begins to move more actively, changes his position and relieves pressure on the umbilical cord. However, in some cases, an increase or vice versa, a subsidence of fetal movements can be a sign of a serious pathology. nine0003

After 28 weeks of pregnancy, if your baby does not let you know for 3-4 hours, he may just be sleeping. In this case, the expectant mother needs to eat something sweet and lie down on her left side for half an hour. If these simple manipulations do not lead to a result, it is worth repeating them again after 2-3 hours. If this time the baby does not make itself felt, this is an occasion to consult a doctor. Rare and weak movements can also indicate a fetal problem, most often a lack of oxygen for the baby, that is, fetal hypoxia. nine0003

Determining the condition of the fetus

To determine the condition of the fetus, the doctor conducts a series of examinations:

Auscultation (listening)

The simplest is auscultation (listening) using a special wooden tube (obstetric stethoscope) or a special device that captures the fetal heartbeat, doctor listens to the baby's heartbeat. Normally, it is about 120-160 beats per minute. A decrease in heart rate less than 120 or an increase of more than 160 indicates intrauterine suffering of the child. nine0003

Ultrasound and dopplerometry

During ultrasound, the doctor visually assesses the size of the fetus, the correspondence of the development of the fetus to the gestational age, because with oxygen starvation, the growth rate of the fetus slows down and its size lags behind the norm for each period of pregnancy. Also important is the structure of the placenta, the presence of signs of aging in it, as a result of which the function of transferring blood, oxygen and nutrients to the fetus usually worsens. During ultrasound, the amount and type of amniotic fluid is assessed, which can also change with intrauterine fetal suffering. Dopplerometry of the vessels of the placenta and umbilical cord is a method for studying blood flow velocities in these vessels. With a decrease in the speed of blood flow in any vessel, one can speak of fetal malnutrition of varying severity. nine0003

Learn more about the services:

• Pregnancy ultrasound
• Ultrasound in the first trimester of pregnancy
• Make KTG
• Perform fetal echocardiography

Cardiotocography (CTG)

This is an important method for assessing the condition of the fetus. CTG is performed at a gestational age of 33 weeks or more, since only in this period of intrauterine development of the baby is a full-fledged regulation of the activity of the cardiovascular system of the fetus by the centers of the spinal cord and brain. Recording of fetal heartbeats is carried out for at least 40 minutes, and if necessary, the study can be extended up to one and a half hours. The device registers and records the baby's heart rate. For example, with a decrease in the concentration of oxygen in the blood of the fetus, the supply of oxygen to the cells of the nervous system decreases, which in turn affects the heart rate, especially during the period of wakefulness of the child. The obstetrician-gynecologist evaluates the heartbeat recording curve, episodes of slowing down and a sharp increase in the fetal heart rate, and based on these data, makes a conclusion about how comfortable the baby feels in the mother's stomach. nine0003

If during additional methods for assessing the condition of the fetus, initial disturbances in the supply of oxygen to the baby are detected, drug treatment is carried out aimed at increasing the access of blood and oxygen through the placenta and mandatory control examinations against the background of ongoing therapy. If the changes are deep and the baby experiences a pronounced deficiency of oxygen and nutrients, his condition suffers, an emergency delivery of such a patient is performed.

Fetal movements are not only an indicator of his condition, it is a way of communication between the baby and parents. The movements of the crumbs in the mother's tummy are unforgettable sensations that a woman can experience only in this short, but such a happy period of her life. nine0003

Center for Fetal Medicine in Moscow:

The main activities of our center are the early detection of congenital malformations in the fetus, prenatal screening for the detection of chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus, as well as pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, fetal growth retardation and threatened abortion.

Our center is organized in such a way that the whole range of services is concentrated in one place, where a woman receives the results of various types of examinations, including ultrasound, biochemical, and specialist consultation within 1-1.5 hours. In the presence of a high risk for chromosomal diseases in the fetus, invasive diagnostics and genetics consultation are carried out here in the center. nine0003

Fetal echocardiography is given special attention in our center, since congenital heart defects in the fetus are increasingly common today, but, unfortunately, are often missed during ultrasound during pregnancy.

In view of the ever-increasing number of multiple pregnancies, which requires more time and a special approach, the observation of women with multiple pregnancies has been allocated to us in a separate clinic for multiple pregnancies.

All examinations in the center are carried out according to the international standards FMF (Fetal Medicine Foundation) and ISUOG (International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology). In complex clinical cases, we can consult with specialists from King's College Hospital, King's College Hospital (London, UK). nine0003

The team is a special pride of the center. Our doctors are not only one of the leading specialists, professors, doctors and candidates of medical sciences, doctors of the highest categories, they are also a team of like-minded people and real enthusiasts in their field. All ultrasound diagnostic doctors in our center have international FMF certificates. Having extensive experience in prenatal diagnostics, we share our knowledge with our colleagues by conducting training courses.

The Center is equipped with the most modern diagnostic equipment: these are the latest generation ultrasound machines, GE Voluson E8 Expert, with a complete set of modern technologies, including three-dimensional ones, this is a biochemical analyzer, Delfia Xpress, these are workplaces with professional computer programs. nine0003

17-20 weeks of pregnancy

17th week

Baby

The 17th week of pregnancy is marked for the baby by an active increase in the mass of his muscles, their gradual strengthening, which allows him to move in the tummy more intensively and variously. Quite frequent movements of the limbs help the child train the muscles, as well as develop the joints of the knees and elbows. At this time, the handles are still clenched into fists, rarely unclenched, and only in order to capture the umbilical cord or suck a finger. Up to 17 weeks, the head of the fetus was practically motionless, rather low, and the chin was close to the chest. Strengthening the muscles of the dorsal and cervical region at this time allows the child to raise his head almost to a vertical position. nine0003

Internal organs continue to develop and improve. Their structure only becomes more complex, which contributes to the expansion of functionality. Their preparation will allow after the birth of the baby to begin normal, full-fledged functioning.

It is important to note the changes that occur in the system of blood vessels and heart of the fetus. The nerve plexuses that surround the heart give rise to the formation of the conduction system; its uniqueness lies in the fact that the heart does not need external signals to work. All internal organs of a person obey the central nervous system. The brain sends certain instructions according to which each of the organs works. The heart, in turn, functions with the help of command signals that arise in itself and cause it to contract. The exceptionally autonomous mode of operation of the heart allows it not to depend on the level of activity of the central nervous system throughout a person's life. nine0003

The 17th week of pregnancy is also characterized by the formation of the respiratory system, namely, the strengthening of the muscles of the lungs. Active respiratory contractions resemble inhalation and exhalation and thereby strengthen the muscles of the chest. There is also the formation of the alveolar apparatus of the lungs. Alveoli are presented in the human body in the form of small bubbles that are located on the surface of the respiratory apparatus and are responsible for gas exchange. Each breath contributes to the saturation of the blood with oxygen. At the 17th week, the alveoli are in a compressed state, but immediately after birth with the first breath, they will straighten out and be ready for normal functioning. nine0003

The weight of the fetus at this time is about 150 g, and the length of the body is 12-13 cm. Normal weight gain for a given week is 5 kg. Also, the 17th week of pregnancy is characterized by an increase in the total blood volume of the expectant mother, because her fetus needs intensive nutrition. You can also note a rapid heartbeat due to the passage of a large amount of blood through the heart. Additional contractions of the heart or tachycardia may not be felt at all by the pregnant woman, or cause her discomfort. In the case of an active manifestation of tachycardia, it is necessary to seek help and advice from your gynecologist or cardiologist, who can determine the symptoms of a pregnant woman's heart disease, as well as prescribe the correct treatment to maintain normal well-being. nine0003

A sharp increase in the volume of blood in the habitual circulation can cause the expectant mother to have an increased level of bleeding gums, as well as nosebleeds. An increased load on the capillaries often leads to a failure in their work. Especially vulnerable are the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth. Properly selected vitamin complexes will correct this situation, strengthen the walls of blood vessels. In addition, doctors recommend using a soft toothbrush for hygiene purposes, which will reduce the risk of bleeding gums. It is also recommended to wash the nasal passages with solutions such as AQUAMARIS, PHYSIOMER, SALIN. If desired, you can prepare a similar solution at home. To do this, you will need 1 teaspoon of salt and a glass of water. All ingredients should be mixed before use. If these simple recommendations are ineffective and bleeding becomes more frequent, you should seek the help of a specialist. nine0003

18th week

Baby

At the 18th week, the baby weighs about 200-250 g, and its length is about 20 cm. covered with myelin, a special fatty membrane that promotes accelerated conduction of nerve impulses. Already after the birth of the child, this shell will allow the child to respond to stimuli from the outside.

The appearance of the fetus is already a bit like a newborn baby and is actively approaching this state. Facial features are becoming more and more distinct, the ears that were previously tightly pressed to the head are straightening out, the middle ear is being formed, and its perception is also improving. At this stage of pregnancy, the baby can already perceive stimuli from the outside, respond to all sorts of sounds. The noises that occur in the mother's body due to the active work of the internal organs are quite normal, familiar to him, and also contribute to the training of auditory perception. nine0003

It is impossible not to note the intensive work of the fetal endocrine system. At 18-19 weeks, the release of "baby" hormones is large enough, which allows even the mother's body to provide them. With a lack of own hormones in the body of a woman, they are compensated at the expense of children, and the mother's condition returns to normal.

Expectant mother

This week, some of the mothers feel the first movements of their baby. Most often, women for whom this is the first child can feel fetal movements at 19-20th week. At earlier periods, namely, at 16-18 weeks, those women who already have their own children, as well as quite thin women with a slight layer of fat under the skin, note the movement.

At the first stages, the movements will be rather weak, brief and episodic, but after a short period of time they will become more distinct and more frequent. The nature of the shocks can be different:

• touches;
• light shocks;
• twitches; nine0006
• rolling.

For a woman, her baby's first kicks are very much expected. This is an exciting moment that will allow the expectant mother to remember these pleasant sensations with trepidation, and also as proof of her connection with the child. At the 18th week, the movements of the child are quite chaotic, varied and appear during the wakefulness of the baby. With emotional stress, they can become more intense. Also, the child may report an insufficient amount of oxygen, which occurs due to the lack of movement of a woman, insufficient time spent on the street, as well as when staying in the same position for a long time (driving a vehicle, at work). Most of the time at this stage of development, the fetus sleeps. nine0003

19th week

Baby

The 19th week is characterized for the fetus by intensive growth of limbs in length, increase in size, slowing down of head growth. Its length is already 25 cm, and its weight is approximately 250-300 g. The child changes greatly in appearance, his body no longer looks disproportionate.

Fat under the skin allows the relief of the torso to change slightly and round. This brown fat is just laid down for a period of 19-20 weeks. After birth, it is he who will perform the function of thermoregulation and protect the child from hypothermia or overheating. With age, this fat disappears and remains only in certain places: in the thickness of a person’s cheeks, in the kidney area, under the armpits, and shoulder blades. nine0003

At this time, the laying of permanent teeth, which are located in the dental plate under the rudiments of milk teeth, and the maturation of the brain also take place. Special processes allow you to establish connections between neurons. Cells intertwine with each other and create a whole system for the transmission of impulses, ensure the synchronism of the brain. Structures that are responsible for touch, taste, sight, hearing, and smell are actively developing.

Changes also occur in the hematopoietic system. The spleen is connected to the process of formation of blood cells, produces leukocytes, whose task is to protect the child's body from external and internal factors. Under 19-20 weeks, the fetal blood consisted only of erythrocytes and at this stage its composition changes dramatically and approaches the composition of the blood of a newborn.

Expectant mother

The tummy of the expectant mother is actively growing, and the fundus of the uterus is already located up to 2 cm below the navel. Weight gain is about 3-6 kg and is distributed proportionally between the placenta, uterus, fetus, amniotic fluid. The weight of the fetus is only a tenth of the total added weight.

Due to the intensive growth of the uterus, a woman may feel discomfort. Often this condition manifests itself when changing the position of the body, bending to the sides, walking. The nature of pain can be different. It can be pulling, sharp, sudden pains that occur both on one side and on both sides. The stretching of the ligaments that are attached to the side walls of the uterus and the pelvic bones in order to fix the uterus is quite active. The uterus of a woman is, as it were, in limbo due to this ligamentous apparatus. When the ligaments are pulled during a change in the position of the uterus, pain occurs. nine0003

This kind of pain is quite normal and typical for this period of pregnancy. In critical situations, a gynecologist may recommend that a woman take antispasmodics, which will help to relax the uterus, as well as eliminate the problem of pain almost completely. At the 19th week, it is important for the gynecologist to exclude such risks of pregnancy complications as the threat of miscarriage and uterine hypertonicity. If one of these risks is detected, the expectant mother will be prescribed hospital treatment. nine0003

20th week

Baby

The body length of the baby at this time is 28 cm and the weight is about 340 g. Until this week of pregnancy, the length of the fetus was measured by calculating the length from crown to tailbone. After the 20th week, the specialist includes in the concept of growth the length of not only the body, but also the lower limbs as well.

At this stage of development, the child is quite active, makes numerous movements, since there is enough space in the uterus for him to roll, push off the walls, and other movements. The baby can smile, grab the umbilical cord, feel himself, frown, close his eyes. His facial expressions are quite developed and more pronounced than before. nine0003

The skin becomes dense, actively covered with fluffy hairs and a special lubricant. A large amount of this lubricant is in the folds. This lubricant prevents the risk of mechanical friction, has bactericidal properties, and ensures optimal passage of the fetus through the mother's birth canal during childbirth.

It is impossible not to note the intensive development of the gastrointestinal tract. Small portions of amniotic fluid, which the child swallows, wash the walls of the intestines and stomach, lead to the training of peristalsis, and contribute to the contraction of the intestines. nine0003

At the 20th week, amniotic fluid is processed. In the body of a child, the first feces - meconium - is formed. It has a dark green color. It consists of mucus, water, epithelial cells, and bile. Accumulation of meconium is carried out in the intestinal lumen. On the first day of birth, it comes out.

Expectant mother

The 20th week is the end of the first half of a woman's pregnancy. Starting from the following weeks, the load on the body of the expectant mother only increases. This fact can be explained by the active development of the fetus in the womb. nine0003

The belly of a pregnant woman increases significantly, and the fundus of the uterus is already at the level of the navel. During this period, a woman may complain about the manifestation of symptoms of shortness of breath: after all, the uterus is already beginning to put pressure on the lungs. Also characteristic of this week is an increase in urination. Squeezing of the bladder leads to frequent urination.

The discharge from the woman's vagina also increases. A large blood flow contributes to increased secretion production. The discharge may be mucous or white. It should also be noted that they should not have a foreign unpleasant odor, and also cause itching, burning.

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