There are 3 types of fetal movement, normal fetal movement means good fetal growth, decreased fetal movement means there may be fetal hypoxia, sudden increase in fetal movement needs to be vigilant, it is recommended to consult a specialist.
Fetal movement refers to the fetal body activities, 18 to 20 weeks of gestation, primigravida can feel the fetal movement, 16 weeks of gestation after delivery often conscious of fetal movement. Fetal movement reaches its peak at 32 to 34 weeks of gestation and slowly decreases after 38 weeks. Fetal movement is generally more active in the afternoon and at night, lasting 20 to 40 minutes, often disappearing during the fetal sleep cycle.
1. Normal fetal movement: after 28 weeks of gestation, fetal movement count ≥ 10 times / 2 hours for normal fetal movement.
2. Decrease in fetal movement: after 28 weeks of gestation, a 50% decrease in fetal movement count or <10 times/2 hours suggests possible fetal hypoxia, often associated with stillbirth, placental dysfunction and other adverse. It is also positively correlated with cesarean section rate of full-term primigravid women, neonatal mortality and neonatal epilepsy.
3. Increased fetal movement: There is a lack of a consistent clinical definition of increased fetal movement, and it is often thought that increased fetal movement after 32 weeks is normal and represents good fetal growth. However, sudden onset of excessive fetal activity may indicate intrauterine distress and should be a cause for alarm.
Monitoring fetal movement is a method done by the pregnant woman herself, which is more economical and convenient. However, monitoring fetal movement is subjective, and sensitivity to fetal movement varies among pregnant women.
When abnormal fetal movement occurs in the clinic, timely consultation is recommended.