What are the causes of lack of fetal movement?

Medical articles

What are the causes of lack of fetal movement?

Medical articles

Reviewed by: Dr. Zainab Mustafa Ali, obstetrician and gynecologist

Understanding the reasons for the lack of fetal movement is an absolute necessity, in order to calm the anxiety that may dominate the mother’s heart at that moment.

The fetus's movements indicate its safety and proper growth inside the uterus.

So, if you want to know the reasons that lead to decreased fetal movement, and when should you go to the doctor?

What is the normal rate of fetal movement?

There is no specific number of movements that you should feel. When you begin to feel your baby's movements more regularly between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy, you will recognize the normal pattern of your baby's movement.

But some obstetricians and gynecologists may recommend that you should feel ten movements within two hours, while lying on your side, focusing on the movement.

But if you still do not feel fetal movements, consult a doctor immediately for advice.

The difference between lack of movement and complete cessation

Understanding the difference between lack of movement and complete cessation may help the mother distinguish between the causes of natural lack of fetal movement that are not a cause for concern, and those that require immediate help.

The difference between them lies in the following

Lack of movement

You may be less aware of your baby's movements due to several factors, such as:

When you are busy or active.
Your baby's sleep.
Your baby's position in the uterus may affect how much you feel his movement. For example, when your baby's back is facing the front of the uterus, you may feel less movement than if his spine was close to yours.
If it is المشيمة In an anterior position (at the front of the uterus), especially before the 28th week, it may dampen fetal movements, making them difficult to feel.
The mother does not eat enough food.

Complete stop

Complete cessation may occur as a result of your baby not moving inside the uterus for a long time, so if you feel this problem, you must go to the doctor and seek immediate help.

The reasons for complete cessation include the following

Slowed growth of the child.
Wrap the umbilical cord around your baby's neck.
Problems with your baby's placenta.
Transmission of infection from the mother to the fetus.

Learn about: متى تبدا حركة الجنين والفرق بين حركة الذكر والأنثى

Reasons for lack of fetal movement

There are many reasons that may lead to decreased fetal movements, which you do not need to worry about.

Fetal rest or nap.
His size has increased, as he cannot move strongly during the last stages of pregnancy.
Your excessive activity.
Your baby is still too young for you to feel him constantly.
If the placenta is at the front of the uterus, it may not be easy for you to feel your baby's movements.
If your baby's back is facing the front of the uterus, you may feel fewer movements, because the placenta may dampen the kicks.

Reasons for concern

If you notice that your fetus is not moving, or seems less active than usual, there may be a more serious reason for the lack of activity, such as:

Umbilical cord complications

The umbilical cord may wrap around the fetus's neck, or there may be another problem with it.

Restriction of fetal growth

The growth of the fetus may slow down, which may affect its growth.

Placental insufficiency

The placenta may not be able to deliver enough nutrients to the fetus.

Fetal brain injury

The fetus may have suffered a brain injury, which could lead to serious problems after birth.

Congenital malformations

The fetus may be affectedMy morals are in the heart, which may affect his health, such as a structural defect in the heart.

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia may lead to decreased energy, coma, or death in severe cases.

Oligohydramnios

This happens when there is too little amniotic fluid.

Book your consultation now at مركز صحة المرأة At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital.

The effect of maternal nutrition on fetal movement

The mother's nutrition directly affects your baby's movement, because it is his only source of energy during pregnancy.

Nutritional deficiency contributes to reducing the flow of blood loaded with nutrients and oxygen from the placenta to the fetus, which leads to obstruction of fetal growth and decreased movement.

Excessive food intake, especially foods rich in starches and sugars, leads to a noticeable increase in fetal activity and movement.

Does sitting or sleeping position affect fetal movement?

Yes, the sitting or sleeping position may affect your child’s movement, by affecting the space available for fetal movement.

When should you go to the doctor immediately?

You should go to the doctor immediately in the following cases

If fetal movements are less than usual.
Changing the usual pattern of fetal movement.
Not feeling your baby's movement for a long time.
If you suffer from any of the following symptoms in addition to decreased fetal movement, such as:

Severe pain in the lower abdomen.
Vaginal bleeding.
Regular contractions.
تسرب السائل الأمنيوسي.

Tips to stimulate fetal movement

If you are sure that the reasons for the lack of fetal movement are normal, here are some methods that you can try to stimulate your fetus to move, including:

Eat a few pieces of chocolate to send a boost of energy directly to your fetus, to stimulate it to move.
Drink a cup of orange juice or cold milk, because the natural sugars and the cold temperature of the drink are usually sufficient.
Make some noise, as your baby's hearing is fairly developed in the middle of the second trimester of pregnancy.
Drink a cup of coffee, as the dose of caffeine may have a similar effect to sugar on your fetus.
Check your position, as your fetus is very active once you lie down to sleep each night.

Learn about: Normal weight of the fetus At birth and what affects it

The relationship of lack of movement to the stages of pregnancy

You may begin to feel your baby moving between the sixteenth and twenty-second weeks of pregnancy, and the fetal movement at that time can be described as fluttering or rolling.

As your pregnancy progresses, your fetal movement may vary in strength from month to month.

In the second trimester, your fetus may develop its own movement pattern, as you may begin to feel some stretches, punches, and kicks.

In the third trimester, you may begin to notice certain patterns in your baby's movements. The movements may seem larger and more forceful, and your partner may be able to see your baby moving under your skin.

Your baby's lack of movement before birth results from his head lowering into the pelvic area, in preparation for birth.

Frequently asked questions about lack of fetal movement

If you are trying to understand the reasons for decreased fetal movement, you may have many questions in mind, such as:

Is it normal for the fetus not to move in the fifth month?

Yes, as most women may not feel their fetus moving until the fifth month (weeks 17-20), or the sixth month (weeks 21-24).

Is the fetal movement shaky?

Yes, as some women may feel movements similar to trembling, shaking, or trembling in the uterus, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Is lack of fetal movement in the seventh month dangerous?

Yes, the lack of fetal movement in the seventh month may indicate that it may suffer from a serious problem that requires immediate medical assistance.

In conclusion, you now understand, dear reader, what are the reasons for lack of fetal movement?

Therefore, if you feel a change in the pattern of your fetus’s movement, you should go to Al Mousa Specialist Hospital, as it provides the latest ultrasound machines, which may help you monitor the growth of the fetus, the position of the placenta, and detect some diseases that your child may suffer from, which lead to a lack of movement.