Introduction:
Pregnant women can feel the movements of their fetus called Quickening, which indicates that it is growing stronger and larger. It has the sensation of tiny pulses, bubbles, or flutters. Pregnancy quickens between weeks 16 and 20, though some may experience it earlier. These movements, which other people may later notice, are typically felt first by the mother. Women are frequently instructed by their healthcare provider to keep an eye on or be aware of the fetus's movements. It's beneficial to start counting the baby's movements around week 28. In addition to spotting possible issues, this can strengthen the relationship with the child. A kick count chart can be a great tool.
What Is Fetal Movement Counting?
Fetal movement counting is an excellent way to keep self-checking the health of the unborn baby (fetus). It is often called kick counting. By 20 weeks of pregnancy, most women can feel the movements of their unborn child inside the womb. These movements vary in the number of times they occur and in strength. There are different patterns in fetal movements depending on the baby's age and time of the day.
Most babies are found to be more active in the evenings. Moreover, the baby becomes more active after the mother eats because of the raised sugar (glucose) level in the mother's blood circulation after the meal. In general, fetal movement increases during the day and peaks late at night.
How to Count Fetal Movements?
Most doctors recommend pregnant women count and monitor fetal movements, especially during the third trimester. Pregnant women can accomplish this fetal movement monitoring by having a general awareness of the baby inside the womb and determining if the baby is moving less than usual on any given day or around the same as other days. Alternatively, the doctor might recommend a formal fetal movement count (FMC), called a kick count. The doctors often suggest starting this surveillance from 28 weeks of pregnancy and continuing it throughout the remainder. A count-to-ten method consists of the woman counting their baby's movements simultaneously every day. It is advisable that if the pregnant woman feels less than ten fetal movements in two to three hours, it is better to consult their healthcare provider. One study claimed that having women count their unborn baby's movements can enhance maternal-child bonding during pregnancy. By this method, pregnant women start to get to know their unborn child and their sleep patterns.
What Are the Issues of Concern in Fetal Movement Counting?
The issues of concern include perceived or actual reduced fetal movement. Study data established that in cases of a compromised fetus or newborn baby, there is usually a history of decreased fetal movement. Therefore, if a woman notices or suspects a decrease in fetal movement, they should consult the doctor for further evaluation to avoid a possible adverse event with the unborn baby by using interventions. Moreover, many studies verify a correlation between reduced fetal movement and abnormalities of the uterus, placental functioning, fetal growth restriction, tight nuchal cords, or twin-to-twin transfusion. Studies also demonstrate that fetal movement counts can prevent intrauterine fetus loss. Although doctors often recommend this monitoring, tracking fetal movement does not always prevent certain complications. However, doctors recommend it due to the no cost and potential benefit. Thus, reduced fetal movement indicates a requirement for more evaluation and can potentially save lives.
When Does Early Fetal Movement Start to Feel?
The first fetal movements that the pregnant woman feels are called quickening. One function of quickening is to alert pregnant women that they have a fetus growing inside their uterus. Quickening often occurs from the 16 to 22 weeks of pregnancy. However, This quickening is a presumptive sign of pregnancy because they are so faint as the fetus growing inside the womb is so tiny at this time, and the other bodily movements in the woman mimic this early fetal movement, such as peristalsis, abdominal muscle contractions, flatus. A woman with previous experience with pregnancy and baby will usually notice these fluttering fetal movements earlier than a first-time pregnant woman. A woman with previous pregnancy experience might feel fetal movements as early as 16 weeks.
In contrast, a first-time pregnant woman may not feel any fetal movements until 20 to 22 weeks. Usually, at around 20 weeks of pregnancy, the doctor can feel the fetal movement externally on the abdomen. This early fetal movement is considered a positive sign during pregnancy.
What Are the Adverse Effects of Fetal Movements Counting?
There are no significant side effects of fetal movement counting as it does not interfere with pregnant women or unborn baby's functions. Women can do it cost-free in the comfort of their homes or almost anytime, anywhere. However, one potential adverse effect of routine fetal movement monitoring could be an increase in either outpatient or inpatient prenatal visits to the doctor due to pregnant women's concerns. Usually, the fetal movement count reassures pregnant women and stops unnecessary doctor visits. In addition, some women can be more vigilant at fetal movement counting than others. Therefore the doctor may suggest other surveillance methods if the pregnant woman is less likely to comply in measuring fetal movements.
What to Do if the Fetal Movement Count Is Decreasing?
The pregnant woman should undergo a follow-up visit to the doctor if any reduction in perceived fetal movement is there. The doctor will advise a non-stress test, a non-invasive test that evaluates the fetus's movement and heart rate accelerations. A non-reactive test indicates fetal sleep or fetal compromise. In that case, the doctor will advise further testing, a BPP (biophysical profile). This is an ultrasound examination of the fetus to evaluate fetal breathing movement, fetal tone, movement of the baby's body or limbs, and amniotic fluid volume. If the results of this test are not reassuring, then the doctor may suggest the delivery of the fetus.
Conclusion:
Fetal kick counting is an excellent method for monitoring and assurance of the well-being of the growing fetus inside the womb. Decreased fetal movement can provide an early warning indication of pregnancy issues. However, this is only sometimes the case. If pregnant women know their regular pattern of fetal movements and the usual number of kicks, they may notice changes more quickly. To do a fetal movement count, the pregnant woman may set a timer and monitor the number of fetal movements they feel in an hour at the same time every day. The pregnant woman can feel the unborn baby kicking, fluttering, rolling, or moving inside the womb. In case of any suspicious reduction in fetal movements, the pregnant woman should talk to their healthcare provider to evaluate the baby to ensure the pregnancy is progressing fine.
