Patient's question:
NoDoctor's answer:
Fetal movement Generally speaking, fetal movement begins around weeks 18 to 20 of pregnancy. The initial movements are very slight, similar to intestinal contractions. As the pregnancy progresses, the movements become stronger, and the pregnant woman's perception of them also becomes more distinct. By weeks 28 to 32, fetal movement reaches its peak, and after weeks 37 to 38, it may slightly decrease. Every person's perception of fetal movement is different; some feel kicks in the abdomen, while others can visibly observe the movement.The method for monitoring fetal movement involves counting the movements for 1 hour at fixed times each day (morning, noon, and evening) from the seventh month of pregnancy until just before delivery. Add the counts from the three times together and multiply by 4 to obtain the total for 12 hours. If the 12-hour count is less than 10, or if the count decreases by 50% daily and does not recover, it indicates that there may be an abnormality with the fetus in the womb. In such cases, the pregnant woman should seek immediate medical attention.