Expectant parents often worry about their baby’s movements in the womb, especially if activity decreases. This article explains typical fetal movement patterns, including quiet periods, and provides guidance on when to seek medical advice. Understanding these patterns can help parents monitor their baby’s well-being.
Understanding Normal Fetal Movement
Fetal movement patterns change as pregnancy progresses. Early movements, known as quickening, typically begin between 16 and 25 weeks, feeling like gentle flutters or bubbles. As the baby grows, especially in the third trimester, movements become more pronounced, including kicks, rolls, and stretches. A baby’s activity level can vary from one to another, and even from day to day for the same baby.
Babies develop sleep-wake cycles. These cycles mean that periods of active movement are followed by rest and quiet periods. A regular pattern of movement often becomes more noticeable and predictable around 28 weeks of pregnancy.
Why Babies Have Quiet Periods
The primary reason for quiet periods is the baby’s sleep cycles. Babies spend a majority of their time sleeping, up to 90-95% by late pregnancy. These sleep cycles involve alternating phases of rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep. Early sleep cycles can last around 20-40 minutes, extending to 60-90 minutes in the third trimester.
During periods of quiet sleep, the baby’s movements are minimal or absent. The baby’s position can also influence how movements are perceived; for example, if the baby is facing the spine, movements might feel less distinct. Also, maternal activity, such as walking or gentle rocking, can sometimes lull the baby into a sleepy state. As pregnancy advances and space becomes limited, movements may change from strong kicks to more subtle wiggles or stretches.
Monitoring Fetal Movement and When to Seek Advice
Monitoring your baby’s typical movement pattern is a valuable way to assess their well-being. Kick counts are a common method, involving timing how long it takes to feel 10 movements (kicks, flutters, swishes, or rolls). Healthcare providers, such as the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, recommend aiming for at least 10 movements within a two-hour period.
Kick counting is suggested to begin in the third trimester, around 28 weeks. Choose a consistent, quiet time when your baby is usually active, such as after a meal or when resting. While quiet periods are normal, a significant or sustained decrease in your baby’s usual movement pattern warrants immediate medical attention.
Contact your healthcare provider without delay if you notice a concerning change in movement, such as not feeling 10 movements within two hours, or any other deviation from their normal pattern. Do not wait until the next day to see if movements resume. Trust your intuition and seek medical advice for any concerns about your baby’s activity.