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Signs of a Healthy & Unhealthy Baby in the Womb During Pregnancy

To eliminate any threat to your baby, it is important to be able to differentiate the signs of a healthy foetus from an unhealthy one. If left unattended, it might lead to a miscarriage. Miscarriage is one of the common consequences of an unhealthy baby, resulting in loss of pregnancy before the 20^th week. We cover some of the warning signs in this article.

Also Read: Foods to Eat During Pregnancy for Healthy Baby

What Are the Symptoms of a Healthy Baby During Pregnancy?

Every parent wants to have a healthy baby and goes to great lengths for the same. But, a lack of information may sometimes lead to an unexpected outcome. Therefore, understanding the signs of a healthy foetus becomes crucial. Below are the signs of a healthy baby during the early stages of pregnancy:

1. Movement

A baby starts moving after 5 months of conception. Medically, the first foetal movement is termed as quickening. A 6-month foetus responds to sound through movement. Around the seventh month, the foetus reacts to stimuli, such as light, sound or pain. By the eighth month, a baby starts changing her position and kicks more frequently. All these are signs that your unborn baby is healthy.

2. Normal Growth

There are several ways to measure the growth and development of a foetus. Your doctor will perform an ultrasound to keep track of your baby’s health and development. Generally, a foetus grows by 2 inches every month. So, your baby should be 14 inches long by the seventh month. In the third trimester, a healthy foetus grows heavier by 700 grams every week. Generally, by the ninth month, a foetus weighs about 3 kilograms and is 18-20 inches long. All these are signs of a healthy foetus in the womb.

3. Heartbeat

A baby’s heart starts to beat at around the fifth week of pregnancy and can be found out in a TVS scan by six weeks. However, its detection is a lot easier towards the end of the first trimester through electronic foetal monitoring. To confirm your baby’s heart health, your doctor may conduct a non-stress test. This test monitors the heart rate of a foetus and provides insight into potential threats, if any. Alternatively, some doctors may even count the heartbeat by just touching your stomach. A healthy heartbeat ranges between 110 to 160 beats per minute.

4. Position at the Time of Pre-Labour

During the ninth month, the movement of a baby comes to an end or becomes minimal. A healthy baby may adopt a head-first position and starts moving towards the birth canal breach or an unstable lie could also be there. It is not compulsory that the baby is unhealthy.

5. Weight Gain and Belly of Expecting Mom

Weight gain during pregnancy is a surefire sign of a healthy pregnancy. Expecting moms gain around 12–20 weeks when they’re pregnant. You can ask your doctor to check your weight regularly and give you an update on whether your pregnancy is progressing normally or not. Your belly should also grow in size as the months go by.

Also Read: Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy

During the fifth month, a foetus becomes more reactive toward sound, light, and pain. This is a period when they are also exposed to various threats that may affect growth and development, directly or indirectly.

If problems are visible externally, corrective measures can be taken to deal with them. But how do you recognize an unhealthy foetus inside your womb? The answer is simple, you just need to watch out for these warning signs.

1. Abnormal Fundal Height

Fundal height helps the doctor evaluate whether a woman’s uterus is growing or not. To measure fundal height, you will be asked to lie down and using a tape measure, the length from the top of the uterus to the pubic bone is measured. Usually, after the 16-week mark, fundal height matches the progress of the pregnancy.

If the height of your uterus is not what it should be, it indicates a problem with your pregnancy. The reason may be too much or too less of amniotic fluid or a breech baby. In the worst-case scenario, it could also mean that the foetus is not developing in a proper manner.

2.

Although a baby’s heart starts beating after the fifth week, it’s only around the sixth week that detection becomes easy. A foetal heartbeat can be detected through electronic foetal monitoring or by using a fetoscope or stethoscope. In some cases, by just touching your stomach and counting the number of beats per minute (bpm).

At times, detecting the heartbeat may not be possible due to a change in the baby’s position or placental issues. In such a case, your doctor might ask you to try again during your next visit. However, if she still can’t detect the foetal heartbeat, then an ultrasound test might be recommended to dig out the reason behind the undetectable heartbeat. In some cases, lack of heartbeat signals a hindrance in foetal development or in worst cases, a lifeless foetus.

3. Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)

Intrauterine growth restriction interferes with the growth of the foetus. If you are diagnosed and have IUGR, it implies that your foetus measures atleast 10% smaller than its gestational age. If you’re suffering from IUGR, complications, such as difficulty in breathing and high blood sugar, may be the cause and continue even after delivery. Therefore, there is a need to closely observe this condition. This could happen in the case of multiples as well, where one of the babies suffers from IUGR, but the other one remains unaffected.

This problem happens due to abnormal functioning of the placenta, which in normal conditions ensures the baby gets all the necessary nutrients. Other reasons include kidney issues, anaemia and diabetes.

4. Low hCG Level

hCG is a type of hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy. hCG levels tend to fluctuate throughout pregnancy depending on the trimester. Generally, hCG levels are extremely high during 9 week – 16 week of pregnancy. The normal levels vary from individual to individual, so a low hCG level is not a reason for you to panic. However, miscarriage, a blighted ovum, or ectopic pregnancy may induce a low level of hCG and raise a red flag for your pregnancy.

5. Excess Cramping During Pregnancy

Pregnancy comes with its share of pain and aches. However, extreme pain, which feels like menstrual cramps, is another warning sign. In early pregnancy, if you feel excess cramping, you might need to consult your doctor.

6. Bleeding During Pregnancy

Spotting during pregnancy is not normal. However, bleeding is still a matter of concern without a doubt and needs to be evaluated by a doctor. It might be a sign of miscarriage, hormonal bleeding or implantation bleeding.

7. Extreme Back Pain

Experiencing back pain is common during pregnancy as the growing baby puts a lot of strain on the spine and lower back. This feeling worsens when you’re expecting multiples. Well, look out for back pain which becomes severe as opposed to a dull ache in the back. Also, if it starts from the front of your body and makes its way to the back, it’s not a good sign. You should visit your doctor immediately.

8. Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy

Vaginal discharge is a common condition experienced by women when they’re pregnant, and it increases as the pregnancy progresses. Usually, the vaginal discharge of a pregnant woman is clear, transparent, whitish and odourless. However, if you notice yellowish or greenish discharge with a strong smell, then it’s time to consult your doctor without any further delay. The unusual discharge might be caused by cervical inflammation, a sign of miscarriage.

9. Sudden Discontinuation of Morning Sickness

Morning sickness and pregnancy are correlated. Usually, morning sickness resolves itself by the end of the first trimester or even earlier without affecting the foetus. However, for some pregnant women, sudden discontinuation of morning sickness might be because of low hCG levels, pointing to a miscarriage. It’s advised to seek an expert’s opinion and make sure there’s no threat to your baby.

10. Fever During Pregnancy

Fever during pregnancy should not be ignored. A fever might pose the threat of a bacterial or viral infection to the foetus.

11. Contraction Of Breast Size

During pregnancy, the body of a woman goes through a multitude of hormonal changes. Breasts go through a transformation and become more sensitive. They also feel heavier and fuller as the pregnancy progresses. However, a sudden decrease in the size of breasts may signal a miscarriage.

12. No Foetal Movement

Foetal movement can be felt around 20-24 weeks in first-timers as the foetus starts reacting to sound, light and pain. Experts say that a pregnant woman should experience at least three kicks every hour during this period. If the foetus is in distress, the count declines. It’s a clear sign to consult your doctor for proper treatment. Any delay in seeking medical help might cause an unfortunate event.

13. Sudden Spike in Blood Sugar Levels

It’s normal for blood sugar and blood pressure levels to decrease during pregnancy. In fact, you should keep these levels throughout the three trimesters. However, diabetes can cause sudden intrauterine death and raised blood pressures can cause premature separation of placenta.

14. Changes in Placental Position

An abnormal placental position is also one of the signs of an unhealthy pregnancy. When the placenta detaches prematurely from the uterus, the pregnancy gets terminated. So, always get your placental position checked.

Pay attention to what the signs say. Consult your doctor even if you have a minor doubt or feel something is off. Your concern might be futile, but it’s always good to be safe than sorry.

Also Read:

Simple Ways On How To Be Happy During Pregnancy
Healthy Indian Diet During Pregnancy
Activities to Avoid During Pregnancy

advice from a genetics doctor - Amurskaya Pravda

An early visit to the doctor will help to avoid the birth of a sick baby

"Pregnancy comes like a war - in the morning and unexpectedly." This is exactly what Annunciation obstetricians have been saying lately about a significant part of their pregnant patients. According to doctors, pregnancy should be planned, and an early visit to the doctor will help to avoid some fetal diseases. Vladimir Samokhvalov, Director of the Center for Family Health and Reproduction, told the Presidential Administration why it is important to do an ultrasound scan in each trimester of pregnancy and what will reveal an ultrasound examination.

The first ultrasound is the most important

Prenatal diagnosis is the determination of the condition of the fetus in the womb. In modern medicine, there are methods that can make a diagnosis for the fetus and determine the health status of the unborn child. The most common is ultrasound diagnostics. A pregnant woman must undergo it at least three times: from the 12th to the 14th week, in the 20th and 30th weeks. Ultrasound in the first trimester is very important, because it is during this period that gross fetal malformations can be detected: the absence of limbs, anencephaly, a two-chambered heart, etc.

If a pregnant woman is over 35 years old and she is registered after 14 weeks of pregnancy, then it is impossible to perform an objective examination of the fetus for chromosomal diseases. Therefore, a prerequisite for diagnosing these diseases is a puncture and sampling from the placenta.

“During this period, early prenatal screening is done, or it is also called combined screening,” said Vladimir Samokhvalov. - During an ultrasound examination, special measurements are taken for possible chromosomal abnormalities, one of which is Down's disease. At the same time, blood is taken for biochemical markers of fetal pathology. In addition to the ultrasound result and the level of biochemical markers, a lot of data is entered into the memory of special equipment: nationality, age, diseases, bad habits, such as smoking. The analyzer compares the information and gives a percentage of the risk of having a baby with chromosomal diseases. It is important to remember: based on the results of screening, they do not make a diagnosis, but only calculate the possibility of having a child with a chromosomal pathology.

Prenatal ultrasound screening is carried out by a doctor-expert of the Fetal Medicine Foundation, who has a special certificate - a conclusion on permission to work in this field. The specialist passes the exams in London online, after the positive results of which he is assigned an identification number. It is needed for the operation of the analyzer, which, without the registration number of the doctor's certificate, will not diagnose fetal pathology. There are such certified specialists in Blagoveshchensk, Belogorsk, Tynda, Zeya and Svobodny.

If the calculation on the analyzer shows a high risk of fetal chromosomal pathology, the woman is prescribed additional research methods - prenatal karyotyping. This is a puncture and collection of fetal cells from the placenta under ultrasound control and a cytogenetic study to exclude such serious diseases as Down syndrome, Patau, Klinefelter, etc. Last year, thanks to this method, the birth of 20 children with Down's disease was prevented. It is important to conduct such a study before 14 weeks: chromosomal disorders are sensitive to biochemistry and ultrasound only during this period of pregnancy.

According to doctors, Down's disease is not an anomaly for the Amur Region. The main reason is fresh mutations in the sex cells of the spouses. The older the woman, the higher the probability of giving birth to a child with Down syndrome: for a woman at the age of 25, it is 1:1040, and for a fifty-year-old - 1:5.

We exclude fetal defects in the second trimester of pregnancy

The main task of second trimester ultrasound is to exclude fetal malformation. It is at this stage that congenital heart defects and tumors of internal organs and the skeletal system are already visible. Every week, when examining pregnant women in the area in the perinatal center, at least one case of congenital fetal pathology is detected.

Among diagnosed congenital malformations, heart defects are the most common. To determine the tactics of pregnancy management and the prognosis of the health of the unborn child, a woman is consulted by specialized specialists - surgeons, cardiac surgeons, neurosurgeons. Spouses are informed about the condition of the fetus and a decision is made on the advisability of bearing a child. With a positive decision on gestation, the institution in which the woman will give birth and the surgical tactics for treating the fetus are determined. In cases requiring very complex surgical interventions, the pregnant woman is sent for delivery to central clinics, where surgical treatment will be performed on the child immediately after birth. If the malformation is incompatible with life or leads to severe disability, by decision of the council, the pregnant woman is recommended to terminate the pregnancy. But the final decision on carrying a pregnancy remains with the spouses.

For 9 months at the Center for Family Health and Reproduction of the Amur Regional Clinical Hospital, 47 congenital malformations and 16 fetal chromosomal diseases were diagnosed in utero.

Vladimir Aleksandrovich cites a recent clinical case: a congenital defect of the aorta was found in the fetus, and in order for the child to live fully, its prosthesis is necessary. The operation is possible only in large specialized centers of the country. The tragedy is that this born person is doomed to lifelong surgical procedures. With age, the prosthesis will need to be changed due to the growth of the child and take drugs for the whole life to prevent thrombosis.

Third ultrasound - getting ready for childbirth

In the last trimester, an ultrasound examination assesses the growth rate of the child and its proportions, assesses the amount of amniotic fluid and the condition of the placenta, and excludes malformations that are manifested by a violation of the anatomical structure of individual organs and systems of the fetus. Also, the doctor of ultrasound diagnostics determines how ready the woman's organs are for childbirth and how the fetus is located.

It is possible to determine the disease of a child by the blood of the mother

More recently, in Moscow, commercial medical centers have a new opportunity to determine the genetic information about a child using fetal DNA. During pregnancy, a small amount of the baby's DNA circulates in the mother's bloodstream, and with the help of modern technology, they can be "caught" and a number of severe fetal chromosomal diseases can be determined - by the mother's blood.

IMPORTANT!

One of the main conditions for the birth of a healthy child is registration in the antenatal clinic before 12 weeks of pregnancy!

Age category of materials: 18+

Materials on topic

27. 02.2019, 19:00

Weekly child development | Regional perinatal center

Expectant mothers are always curious about how the fetus develops at a time when it is expected with such impatience. Let's talk and look at the photos and pictures of how the fetus grows and develops week by week.

What does the puffer do for 9 whole months in mom's tummy? What does he feel, see and hear?

Let's start the story about the development of the fetus by weeks from the very beginning - from the moment of fertilization. A fetus up to 8 weeks old is called embryo , this occurs before the formation of all organ systems.

Embryo development: 1st week

The egg is fertilized and begins to actively split. The ovum travels to the uterus, freeing itself from the membrane along the way.

On the 6th-8th days, implantation of eggs is carried out - introduction into the uterus. The egg settles on the surface of the uterine mucosa and, using the chorionic villi, attaches to the uterine mucosa.

Embryo development: 2-3 weeks

Picture of embryo development at 3 weeks.

The embryo is actively developing, starting to separate from the membranes. At this stage, the beginnings of the muscular, skeletal and nervous systems are formed. Therefore, this period of pregnancy is considered important.

Embrio Development: 4–7 weeks

Development of the fetus in the pictures: Week 4 9000

Development of the fetus photo: Week 4

Emberia weeks of pregnancy.

The embryo develops a heart, head, arms, legs and tail :) . Gill slit is defined. The length of the embryo at the fifth week reaches 6 mm.

Development of the fetus by weeks photo: week 5

At the 7th week, the rudiments of the eyes, stomach and chest are determined, and fingers appear on the handles. The baby already has a sense organ - the vestibular apparatus. The length of the embryo is up to 12 mm.

Fetal development: 8th week

Development of the fetus by weeks photo: weeks 7-8

The fetus has a face, you can distinguish the mouth, nose, auricles. The head of the embryo is large and its length corresponds to the length of the body; the fetal body is formed. All significant, but not yet fully formed, elements of the baby's body already exist. The nervous system, muscles, skeleton continue to improve.

Fetal development in the photo already sensitive arms and legs: week 8

The fetus developed skin sensitivity in the mouth area (preparation for the sucking reflex), and later in the face and palms.

At this stage of pregnancy, the genitals are already visible. Gill slits die. The fruit reaches 20 mm in length.

Fetal development: 9–10 weeks

Fetal development by week photo: week 9

Fingers and toes already with nails. The fetus begins to move in the pregnant woman's stomach, but the mother does not feel it yet. With a special stethoscope, you can hear the baby's heartbeat. Muscles continue to develop.

Fetal development by week photo: week 10

The entire surface of the fetal body is sensitive and the baby develops tactile sensations with pleasure, touching his own body, the walls of the amniotic sac and the umbilical cord. It is very curious to observe this on ultrasound. By the way, the baby first moves away from the ultrasound sensor (of course, because it is cold and unusual!), And then puts his hands and heels trying to touch the sensor.

It's amazing when a mother puts her hand to her stomach, the baby tries to master the world and tries to touch with his pen "from the back".

The development of the fetus: 11–14 weeks

Development of the fetus in the photo of the legs: week 11

In the baby's arms, legs and eyelids are formed, and the genitals become distinguishable (you can find out the gender child). The fetus begins to swallow, and if something is not to its taste, for example, if something bitter gets into the amniotic fluid (mother ate something), then the baby will begin to frown and stick out his tongue, making less swallowing movements.

Fruit skin appears translucent.

Development of the fetus: Week 12

Photo of the fetus 12 weeks per 3D ultrasound

Development of Week photo: Week 14

of the kidney. urine. Blood forms inside the bones. And hairs begin to grow on the head. Moves more coordinated.

Fetal development: 15-18 weeks

Fetal development by weeks photo: week 15

The skin turns pink, the ears and other parts of the body, including the face, are already visible. Imagine, a child can already open his mouth and blink, as well as make grasping movements. The fetus begins to actively push in the mother's tummy. The sex of the fetus can be determined by ultrasound.

Fetal development: 19-23 weeks

Fetal development by week photo: week 19

Baby sucks his thumb, becomes more energetic. Pseudo-feces are formed in the intestines of the fetus - meconium , kidneys begin to work. During this period, the brain develops very actively.

Development of the fetus by weeks photo: week 20

The auditory ossicles become stiff and now they are able to conduct sounds, the baby hears his mother - heartbeat, breathing, voice. The fetus intensively gains weight, fat deposits are formed. The weight of the fetus reaches 650 g, and the length is 300 mm.

The lungs at this stage of fetal development are so developed that the baby can survive in the artificial conditions of the intensive care unit.

Fetal development: 24-27 weeks

Lungs continue to develop. Now the baby is already falling asleep and waking up. Downy hairs appear on the skin, the skin becomes wrinkled and covered with grease. The cartilage of the ears and nose is still soft.

Fetal development by week photo: week 27

Lips and mouth become more sensitive. The eyes develop, open slightly and can perceive light and squint from direct sunlight. In girls, the labia majora do not yet cover the small ones, and in boys, the testicles have not yet descended into the scrotum. Fetal weight reaches 900–1200 g, and the length is 350 mm.

9 out of 10 children born at this term survive.

Fetal development: 28-32 weeks

The lungs are now adapted to breathe normal air. Breathing is rhythmic and body temperature is controlled by the CNS. The baby can cry and responds to external sounds.

Child opens eyes while awake and closes during sleep.

The skin becomes thicker, smoother and pinkish. Starting from this period, the fetus will actively gain weight and grow rapidly. Almost all babies born prematurely at this time are viable. The weight of the fetus reaches 2500 g, and the length is 450 mm.

Fetal development: 33-37 weeks

Fetal development by week photo: week 36

The fetus reacts to a light source. Muscle tone increases and the baby can turn and raise his head. On which, the hairs become silky. The child develops a grasping reflex. The lungs are fully developed.

Fetal development: 38-42 weeks

The fetus is quite developed, prepared for birth and considered mature. The baby has mastered over 70 different reflex movements. Due to the subcutaneous fatty tissue, the baby's skin is pale pink. The head is covered with hairs up to 3 cm.

Fetal development by weeks photo: week 40

The baby perfectly mastered the movements of his mother , knows when she is calm, excited, upset and reacts to this with her movements. During the intrauterine period, the fetus gets used to moving in space, which is why babies love it so much when they are carried in their arms or rolled in a stroller. For a baby, this is a completely natural state, so he will calm down and fall asleep when he is rocked.

The nails protrude beyond the tips of the fingers, the cartilages of the ears and nose are elastic.

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