Patient's question:
I felt fetal movement only two months into my pregnancy, similar to the sensation of a pulse. It moved about ten times a day, sometimes not moving at all for a whole day. Is this normal? Many people don't feel anything until four to five months. Why am I feeling this so early?Doctor's answer:
Hello: Fetal movement refers to the activity of the fetus in the uterus. Generally, pregnant women can feel fetal movement around the 4th month of pregnancy. From the 7th month to the 9th month of pregnancy, fetal movement reaches its peak, with up to 130 movements per day. Throughout the entire pregnancy, in addition to systematic prenatal examinations by medical staff, pregnant women should also perform self-monitoring. This allows them to understand the well-being of their fetus, detect abnormalities promptly, and address them in a timely manner.Under normal conditions, starting from the 7th month of pregnancy (week 28), measure fetal movement for one hour each morning, noon, and evening while lying on the left side. Add the three measurements together and multiply by four to obtain the total fetal movement for 12 hours. Generally, normal fetal movement is three or more movements per hour. If the total fetal movement in 12 hours is 30 or more, it indicates that the fetus is doing well. If it is less than 20, it suggests fetal hypoxia in the uterus. If it is 10 or fewer, it indicates fetal danger with poor prognosis. During self-monitoring, if the fetal movement count falls below normal, the pregnant woman should immediately go to the hospital for examination to determine the cause and rescue the fetus in time.
Fetal movement indicates that the fetus is doing well. However, when placental function declines and the fetus experiences chronic hypoxia, fetal movement may decrease and eventually stop. Fetal movement reduction can last from several days to a week. If not addressed promptly, it can lead to fetal death. Therefore, reduced fetal movement is a sign of fetal hypoxia in the uterus. However, in the early stages of acute hypoxia, fetal movement may become excessively frequent, which should also be taken seriously. Sedatives and sleeping pills can reduce fetal movement, so avoid taking these medications when counting fetal movement. To understand the condition of your fetus, please measure fetal movement regularly.