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The movements of the foetus are usually perceived by the pregnant woman from about the 20th week of pregnancy. Thanks to them, the expectant mother can monitor the activity and well-being of her baby. A weaker perception of the foetal movements is always a cause for concern for the pregnant woman. What could be the reason for this and what is the best thing to do in the event of reduced movement?
Weaker perception of foetal movements – what does this mean?
The baby’s movements that take place in the womb are an indicator of the fetus’ well-being and can provide valuable information in diagnosing possible abnormalities. Interestingly, the baby’s activity changes during the day, so that sleeping and waking phases can be detected. It is known that the foetus becomes more active after the pregnant woman has had a meal or when she lies down and rests. The baby’s sleep phase, on the other hand, usually coincides with a phase of increased physical activity in the woman. There can be several reasons for the decreased awareness of fetal movements. These include minor situations such as the baby’s sleep or the position of the placenta against the anterior wall of the uterus, but also serious ones such as the inhibition of growth in the uterus or the risk of the foetus dying. Women struggling with obesity may also experience weaker movements of the baby.
Weaker perception of foetal movements – treatment
If the expectant mother notices a change in the baby’s daily activity and a decrease in the number of movements, she should go to the hospital or to the attending doctor. There, an ultrasound examination and, in most cases, an OCG examination will be performed. The expectant mother may then be referred to a pregnancy pathology unit to monitor the condition of the foetus and rule out any possible danger to its health or life. Measurements of vascular flow are also taken so that the doctor can determine or rule out placental insufficiency, for example.
Absence of foetal movement
If the expectant mother does not feel the foetus moving, she should go immediately to the gynaecological-gastronomic emergency room to check the baby’s heart function. Usually, in pregnancies under 24 weeks, the heart rate is auscultated or assessed by ultrasound; in older pregnancies, an OCT scan is taken. These measurements are extremely important because the lack of movement of the baby reported by the pregnant woman can be associated with foetal death in the womb.
