How to count fetal movements? The importance of measuring fetal movements during pregnancy

Mothers can feel the baby moving in their belly in the second trimester. From that time on, mothers should pay attention to the baby's fetal movements. Paying close attention to fetal movements can detect abnormalities at the first time. So how do you count fetal movements and what is normal?

How to count fetal movements?

1. How to count:

The number of fetal movements should be calculated based on the baby's continuous movements. If the baby just kicks once and then stops, it is counted as 1 time. If the baby moves several times before stopping, it is also only counted as 1 time.

2. Counting method:

(Morning + Noon + Evening) X4 = 12 hours of fetal movement. If you are unable to count fetal movements 3 times a day due to limited conditions, you can count once an hour before going to bed. The time should be fixed, also count for 1 hour, and then multiply the number by 12. Fetal movement is a barometer of fetal health. Generally, after 28 weeks of pregnancy, doctors will tell expectant mothers to start paying attention to counting fetal movements. The following is the correct way to count fetal movements:

3. Time:

Count the fetal movements three times every day at a time that is most convenient for you, morning, noon, and evening, and count for one hour each time.

4. Posture:

The expectant mother should adopt a comfortable posture, either sitting on a chair or lying on her side in bed, placing her hands on her abdominal wall, calming down and concentrating on the baby's activities.

Importance of measuring fetal movement in pregnant women

Pregnant women can measure fetal movements at home, which can not only understand the latest status of the fetus, but also effectively reduce the chance of intrauterine fetal death. Especially for high-risk pregnancies, such as pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome, gestational diabetes, overdue pregnancy or other fetal growth abnormalities, it is even more important to pay close attention to fetal movements.

How much fetal movement is normal

The number, speed, strength, etc. of fetal movements can often predict the safety of the fetus in the uterus. Normal fetal movement means that the placenta is functioning well, the oxygen delivered to the fetus is sufficient, the fetus is developing well, and the little life is living happily in the uterus. If the fetal movement is less than 20 times within 12 hours, or less than 3 times within 1 hour, it often means that the fetus may be hypoxic, and pregnant mothers should not take it lightly.

The fetal movement is generally 3-5 times per hour, and about 30-40 times in 12 hours. Under normal circumstances, the strength and frequency of fetal movement vary throughout the day and night. The number of movements is less in the morning, increases after 6 pm, and is most active between 8 and 11 pm. This means that the fetus has its own sleep pattern, which is called the fetal biological clock. The strength and frequency of fetal movement vary greatly from person to person. Some may move more than 100 times in 12 hours, while others may move only 30-40 times. However, as long as the fetal movement is regular and rhythmic, and the change curve is not large, it means that the fetal development is normal.

Is it accurate to tell the gender of the baby by fetal movement?

Fetal movement refers to the movement of the fetus in the uterine cavity that impacts the uterine wall. After 4 months of pregnancy, that is, from the 5th month, the mother can clearly feel the movement of the fetus. The fetus stretches out its hands, kicks its legs, and impacts the uterine wall in the uterus. This is fetal movement. The number, speed, strength, etc. of fetal movements indicate the safety of the fetus. In fact, there are many folk sayings about the difference between boys and girls. These sayings are just a kind of entertainment after dinner. There is no actual scientific basis. Don't blindly believe in this. You must know that it is your own baby. It is the same whether you have a boy or a girl.

Kindly note that the sex of the fetus is determined from the beginning of the formation of the fertilized egg, and there is no way to change the sex of the fetus after pregnancy. Moreover, the fetus is not divided into male and female, just like the physical condition of the baby after birth.