Reduced Fetal Movements

Feeling your baby move for the first time is one of the most special times of your pregnancy. It will make everything feel real and start the bond with your baby. Many women say the thing they miss most about being pregnant is being able to feel their baby.

Most women start to feel their baby move any time between 16 and 24 weeks. If it is your first pregnancy it may not be until after 20 weeks. The first movements may feel like a swish, flutter, flip or roll.

There is no normal amount of movement and every pregnancy is different. The most important thing to do is to get to know your baby’s individual pattern of movement. Many women say their baby is most active in the afternoons and evenings or it might have a busy old time just after you’ve had a meal. Babies will sleep for 20-40 minutes at a time, and rarely for more than 90 minutes.

If you have not felt your baby move by 24 weeks you should contact your midwife or maternity unit and they will be able to check your baby’s heartbeat for you and possibly also give you a scan. If you notice a drop in your baby’s activity you need to get checked as soon as possible as it may be as sign that your baby is unwell. Your hospital will have a midwife on duty 24 hours a day.

Your baby’s activity will continue to increase until around 32 weeks and then it will stay the same as space becomes more restricted. You should be able to feel your baby move for the rest of your pregnancy, until you are in labour and giving birth.

What causes reduced movement?

There could be a number of reasons why you can’t feel your baby move. If you are very busy during the day its movements may not be obvious. Try to take time out to sit every hours and shift your awareness to your bump.

If your placenta is at the front of your uterus you will not be able to feel your baby as much. You should be able to feel your baby no matter what position it is in but if its back is at the front of your uterus you may feel fewer movements than if its back was close to your back. Your baby being head down or breech will not affect its movements.

Alcohol and smoking could affect your baby’s movement as well as certain pain killers or sedatives which can pass into the baby’s bloodstream so always check with your doctor when taking medication.

The charity Tommy’s says around half of women who had a stillbirth noticed their baby’s movements had slowed down or stopped.

What should I do?

If you are between 24 and 28 weeks pregnant and are worried you should contact your midwife straight away and they will check the baby’s heartbeat. They will also take your blood pressure, check the size of your uterus and test your urine for protein. You may also be given a scan.

If you are over 28 weeks pregnant and you are worried about your baby’s movements you should call your hospital immediately. A midwife will carry out a full antenatal check on you. They may give you a scan if your womb is smaller or larger than expected, you have a high risk pregnancy, the heart rate is normal but you still feel slower movements or if you have reduced fetal movements already in your pregnancy. These checks usually show that everything is well with the pregnancy. Most women who have one instance of reduced movement go on to have a healthy child.

Always seek professional help

Some people might mention apps for ‘counting kicks’ to you but it is not advised that you use them as there is little research to show they work. Medical professionals also do not recommend using at-home dopplers or apps to check your baby’s heartbeat. You must see a medical professional if you are concerned.

What is most important is that you come to recognise your baby’s pattern of movement and seek help if you feel something has changed. Never feel guilty about ringing your hospital - midwives would always rather see you to check everything is fine, than it be left too late and your baby’s life put in danger.

:: For more information go to tommys.org