I did not feel my baby's movement. What could be the cause?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am five months pregnant. I can urinate and pass stools normally, and I also go for a walk after dinner. But I have not felt my baby’s movements for the last four to five days, even though I used to feel them before.

Now I feel like something is stuck in my lower abdomen, like a stone. What could be the cause?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

At five months (around 20 weeks), fetal movements are usually just starting to be perceived, and they can be very irregular. Sometimes, women feel them daily, and sometimes, there are gaps for a few days, especially if the placenta is anterior or the baby is lying differently.

The “stone-like” feeling you describe below the stomach is likely the growing uterus itself becoming firm in areas, sometimes due to the baby’s position or mild tightening.

It does not always mean something bad, but since you had felt movements earlier and now nothing for four to five days, it is safer not to ignore.

The probable causes for not feeling movements at this stage may include-

A change in the baby’s position.
An anterior placenta cushions the kicks.
Normal irregularity in the perception of early fetal movements.

To investigate further, an ultrasound scan should be done to check the baby’s growth and heartbeat, along with a basic antenatal checkup including blood pressure and urine tests.

The possible differential diagnoses include normal positional variation, reduced perception of movements due to placental position, or, in rare cases, an early sign of fetal compromise that must be ruled out.

Based on the current information, the probable diagnosis is reduced perception of fetal movements.

The treatment plan for now is not to panic but to arrange an ultrasound soon to confirm fetal well-being. In the meantime, keep monitoring for flutters or kicks, especially after meals or when lying quietly on the left side.

In terms of prevention, I advise you the following -

Continue with routine antenatal visits and regular scans.
Follow a healthy diet and maintain good hydration.
Try to avoid excess stress and, once fetal movements become regular, pay close attention to your baby’s usual pattern.

For follow-up, it is essential to share your recent ultrasound report and details of your last antenatal visit. Please follow up once the scan is done so that further guidance can be given, and also meet your treating gynecologist in person to rule out anything urgent.

I hope this helps.

Thank you and take care.

Regards.