Whether babies move during labor is a common concern for people preparing for childbirth. Expectant parents become highly attuned to their baby’s movements in the final trimester, and a change in this rhythm during labor can cause worry. Fetal movement absolutely continues, but the nature and sensation of this movement typically change once a person enters the active phase of labor. Understanding these shifts is a practical part of preparing for the birth experience.
Fetal Movement During Active Labor
Fetal movement does not stop when contractions begin, but the feeling is often different from the strong kicks felt earlier in the third trimester. Instead of sharp jabs, a laboring person may perceive wiggles, squirming, or a shifting of the baby’s body within the uterus. These movements are more subtle and less defined, especially as the intensity of contractions increases.
Research shows that the fetus is moving a significant amount of the time during labor. In one study, the mean percentage of time a fetus was observed moving was 17.3% during labor overall. The proportion of time the fetus spent moving during a uterine contraction was found to be higher (21.4%) than the time spent moving between contractions (12.9%). This suggests that the tightening of the uterus may prompt a response in the baby, rather than stopping movement.
This sustained activity is a reassuring sign of fetal well-being throughout the process. The total cessation of movement is never considered a normal part of labor, even with strong uterine activity. The presence of movement is expected to continue right up until delivery.
Physiological Reasons for Movement Changes
The physical changes in the uterus and the baby’s position during labor are the primary reasons movement feels different. Active labor involves rhythmic, powerful contractions of the uterine muscle, which temporarily reduces the space inside the womb. This compression makes large, sweeping movements or powerful kicks physically harder for the baby to execute.
Contractions create powerful, transient pressure around the baby, restricting the ability to extend limbs fully. Instead of a hard kick, the baby might respond to this pressure with a subtle shift or a pushing motion against the uterine wall. This relationship between uterine muscle activity and the baby’s response is clearly highlighted by studies on fetal movement during contractions.
As labor progresses, the baby’s head typically moves lower and becomes engaged within the pelvis, limiting maneuverability. This descent into the birth canal restricts the baby’s body, making rolling and turning motions less likely. The baby’s state of alertness may also be influenced by the hormonal environment of labor, leading to periods of quiet rest. This natural reduction in space and change in position accounts for the primary difference between third-trimester movements and those felt during labor.
When to Alert Your Care Team
The most important takeaway for a person in labor is to remain aware of their baby’s established pattern of movement. While a change in the type of movement is common, a dramatic and sustained decrease in the frequency of movement is a significant concern requiring immediate attention. Even when contractions are strong and distracting, the baby should continue to move.
If you perceive a complete stop or a dramatic, sustained reduction in your baby’s movements, alert your nurse or doctor immediately. Healthcare teams rely heavily on a parent’s perception of movement, even with continuous fetal monitoring in place. Do not assume that reduced movement is automatically a result of the labor process or that monitoring equipment is sufficient on its own. Reporting a change in movement patterns is valuable clinical information that prompts further assessment of the baby’s condition.