Pregnant individuals often wonder about their baby’s movements, particularly during contractions. Observing fetal activity offers reassurance throughout pregnancy. Understanding how babies move during contractions can help expecting parents feel informed and prepared for labor.
Fetal Movement During Contractions
Babies move during contractions. Rather than becoming still, many babies continue to shift, wiggle, or kick, even as the uterus tightens. While the sensation of these movements might change, their presence is expected. Some individuals describe feeling their baby squirm or shuffle within the womb during a contraction, a different sensation than typical kicks or jabs.
Studies indicate a relationship between fetal movement and uterine contractions during labor. One study found fetal movement occurred during 65.9% of uterine contractions, with nearly 90% of all contractions associated with some form of movement. The proportion of time a fetus spends moving is higher during uterine contractions (21.4%) compared to periods between contractions (12.9%). This demonstrates activity is not suppressed by uterine tightening.
Reasons for Fetal Movement During Contractions
Several physiological factors contribute to fetal movement during uterine contractions. One reason relates to changes in pressure within the uterus. As uterine muscles contract and tighten, the space around the baby temporarily decreases. This increased pressure can prompt the baby to adjust its position or react to the altered environment, such as by finding a more comfortable position or responding to compression.
The muscular action of the uterus during contractions can also stimulate the baby. The tightening and relaxing of the uterine walls might cause a subtle jostling effect, encouraging the baby to respond with movements like wiggling or pushing. Temporary changes in blood flow or oxygen delivery to the placenta during contractions could also play a role in stimulating fetal activity, though not definitively proven.
Distinguishing Normal from Concerning Movement
Differentiating between typical fetal movement during contractions and patterns that might signal concern is important. Normal movement during contractions often feels like wiggling, shifting, or even continued kicks, though the nature of these movements might change from vigorous jabs to more subtle adjustments. The key indicator of normal movement is the continuation of a regular pattern, even if the type of movement feels different due to reduced space. Babies do not typically move less towards the end of pregnancy or during labor due to “running out of room.”
A significant decrease in overall fetal movement, an absence of movement, or unusually frantic activity followed by silence during or between contractions can be concerning. A sudden, rapid increase in movements that deviates from the baby’s usual pattern could also indicate distress and warrants immediate attention. Focusing on any change in the baby’s established movement pattern is more important than counting a specific number of movements during a single contraction.
When to Seek Medical Advice
If there is any concern about fetal movement during contractions, contacting a healthcare provider immediately is recommended. A noticeable decrease in overall fetal movement, or an absence of movement, is a scenario that requires prompt medical evaluation. It is important not to wait until the next day or a scheduled appointment if such a change is observed.
Any significant change in the baby’s typical movement pattern, whether it is a reduction in frequency or strength, or an unusual surge in activity, should also prompt a call to the care team. Even if a baby moves after stimulation, this should not be a sole reassurance if there was an initial concern about reduced movement. Trusting one’s intuition and seeking advice when something feels wrong is always the best course of action.