The sensation of a baby moving is a central part of the pregnancy experience. As an expectant mother approaches childbirth, a common question arises about how this movement changes once labor begins. Fetal movement patterns shift significantly compared to the familiar kicks and rolls felt previously. While the baby remains active, the nature and perception of this activity change due to the intense physical forces at work within the uterus.
Fetal Movement During Active Labor
A baby does move during labor, but the movements feel different and may be less frequent overall. Instead of sharp, distinct kicks, mothers often describe the sensation as squirming, wiggling, or a sustained pushing feeling. This change is primarily due to the intense pressure exerted on the baby by the powerful uterine contractions.
A baby’s movement can sometimes be felt most distinctly in the interval between contractions when the uterine muscle is relaxed. Monitoring equipment has demonstrated that the fetus is still active even during a contraction, sometimes moving more frequently than between them. While the frequency of movement may decrease during active labor, the complete cessation of movement is a sign of distress and should be reported to a healthcare provider immediately.
The subjective feeling of movement is often overshadowed by the intense sensation of the contractions themselves. It can be difficult for a laboring mother to distinguish fetal movement from the powerful muscle tightening of the uterus. Medical professionals emphasize the importance of being aware of any change in movement pattern, even if the individual movements are subtle.
Factors Affecting Fetal Movement During Labor
Several physiological mechanisms contribute to the altered pattern of fetal movement during active labor. The most significant factor is the physical compression placed on the baby by the uterus during a contraction. As the uterine muscles tighten, the space surrounding the fetus is reduced, restricting the range of motion for expansive movements like kicking and rolling.
The baby’s descent into the birth canal, known as engagement, also limits the available space. Once the head is positioned deep into the pelvis, the baby’s ability to perform large, rotational movements is constrained. Furthermore, maternal hormones released during labor can influence fetal activity.
High levels of adrenaline, a “fight or flight” hormone, can temporarily affect fetal alertness and contribute to a quieter baby. Additionally, certain pain medications administered during labor, such as opioids or epidurals, can cross the placenta. These medications may cause temporary drowsiness in the fetus, leading to a period of decreased movement.
How Fetal Well-being is Monitored
Given the decrease in perceived movement during labor, medical professionals rely on specific tools to ensure the baby is coping well with the stress of contractions. The primary method used to assess fetal health is monitoring the fetal heart rate (FHR). For low-risk pregnancies, this is done intermittently, known as intermittent auscultation, using a handheld Doppler or fetoscope at regular intervals.
For higher-risk pregnancies or when concerns arise, continuous monitoring using a Cardiotocograph (CTG) is employed. The CTG involves placing sensors on the mother’s abdomen to continuously track the FHR and the frequency of uterine contractions. Providers analyze the recorded FHR pattern, specifically looking for heart rate variability and accelerations.
Heart rate variability refers to the small, normal fluctuations in the FHR, indicating a well-oxygenated and healthy nervous system. Accelerations are temporary increases in the FHR, which are a reassuring sign that the fetus is active and not under stress. Interpreting this data alongside the contraction pattern allows the care team to accurately assess fetal well-being, even when the mother cannot feel the movements clearly.