Fetal movements after 38 weeks of pregnancy are less frequent than before, but within normal limits. Pathological decrease in fetal movement is related to insufficient oxygen supply from the mother herself, poor oxygen exchange or impaired transmission between mother and fetus, and factors in the fetus itself.
Mothers with hypertension, nephritis, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, severe anemia, hyperthermia and other diseases will lead to insufficient supply of oxygen to the mother itself, which will cause hypoxia of the fetus, and the fetal movement will be reduced.
Poor exchange of oxygen or impaired transmission between mother and fetus, such as gestational hypertension syndrome, overdue pregnancy, placenta praevia, knotting of umbilical cord, compression of umbilical cord, twisting of umbilical cord, wrapping of umbilical cord around the neck, and prolapse of umbilical cord, etc., will cause fetal movement to become less. The presence of severe congenital heart disease, intracranial hemorrhage, and chronic fetal distress can cause fetal abnormalities and less fetal movement.
Other factors such as the use of sedatives by the mother can also result in decreased fetal movement.
It is advisable to visit the hospital promptly when decreased fetal movement occurs.