The first fetal movements during pregnancy: terms

Pregnancy is always an amazing and full of mysteries phenomenon. Regardless of whether it occurs for the first time or repeatedly. It is always something new and unusual. Mothers of many children emphasize that the movement of the fetus during pregnancy is different every time. There is not a single pregnancy that would be similar to the previous one. And no wonder, because a new life is developing inside. Each stage of development has its own characteristics, preferences, and the level of activity is different. [1]

When does the fetal movement begin, the first fetal movements?

Pregnancy has just come - physiology and psyche are being reconstructed. The understanding comes that now the development of a small living being is taking place inside. As the results of psychological studies show, even if a woman does not wait, and does not particularly think about her pregnancy, when the fetus begins to move, the attitude towards pregnancy changes dramatically. Immediately there is a sense of responsibility, awareness of their special position, a new role.

The first movements of the fetus are important from the point of view of psychology, since they trigger a number of changes and neoplasms in the mind and psyche of a woman. A state arises in which the attention of women is directed inward, to the maintenance and protection of the fetus. [2]

There are many psychological studies on this subject. For example, S. Grof's theory is well known, according to which biological perinatal matrices function, which determine the development of the fetus, its relationship with the mother. He describes the special condition of a woman, which occurs at the moment when the fetal movement begins. A number of hormonal and physiological neoplasms occur, which lead to the fact that the dominant of pregnancy begins to function in the mind of a woman. It determines the behavior of a woman and her attitude to the unborn child, to her current state. At this moment, all filming of a woman switches from the outside world to her inner feelings and to the subtleties of the relationship with the fetus.

This is especially important in modern conditions, for busy, working mothers, business women, whose attention is almost always tuned to the outside world and rarely focuses on their own feelings. Studies show that it is in such mothers that the dominant of pregnancy functions especially actively, and in such women it is possible to observe as clearly as possible how external connections and factors lose their significance for them, and all attention is accumulated precisely on sensations, symbiotic connections with the fetus. [3]

At this time, a woman may have various, most unpredictable reactions - from tenderness and tearfulness to sharp aggression and hatred. Often the first movements of the fetus are accompanied by a subconscious desire to protect it from the outside world. From here comes a hostile attitude towards the outside world, increased attentiveness, vigilance, suspicion, or simply excessive fear.

At this time, almost all women, even furious animal lovers and advocates, note how the attitude towards animals is changing. They begin to annoy, there is a desire to remove them from sight, an intolerable disgust for them develops, intertwined with the desire to limit contact with them, in particular to protect from everything that may be connected with the child. It is at this time, unfortunately, under the influence of hormones, that many women give away or kick out their previously beloved pets.

Psychologists also note that this is the most unfortunate time for new beginnings, responsible actions, study, since the attention of a woman will be scattered. During this period, a woman is not able to perceive, memorize and process new information, is not able to concentrate, and in general is not able to think rationally.

First fetal movements during first pregnancy

Previously, the female reproductive organs were not involved. Therefore, there is their activation, stretching, restructuring. The body is not ready for a new load, a new role, so there is a sharp restructuring, adaptation to new needs and features of functioning. Therefore, during the first pregnancy, the reaction occurs much later, respectively, and the woman will feel the first movements of the fetus much later.

As noted by many primiparas, for the first time they managed to feel stirring at about 20 weeks (exactly half of the pregnancy). Often there are such cases that the first half of pregnancy proceeds completely imperceptibly for a primiparous woman, to the point that she does not even suspect about pregnancy. The abdomen grows weakly due to the fact that the muscles are in a fairly good tone, the uterus is not yet stretched. Especially often this is observed in athletes who have been involved in sports since childhood. Firstly, they have a good muscular frame, and secondly, due to training, the pain threshold is sharply reduced, so muscle strains can not be felt. Some athletes note that at this time, despite not being pregnant, they even had menstruation. And this is also quite understandable. The hormone (estrogen) continues to be produced in the body because the uterus is not yet sufficiently stretched and does not receive a pregnancy signal from it, which serves as an incentive to stop menstruation. [4]

Be sure to take into account the factor of individuality, which is determined by general well-being, physiological parameters, genetic factors, age.

Fetal movement in multiparous

Due to the fact that in multiparous women the reproductive system is already prepared for pregnancy, the movement of the fetus can be felt much earlier.

If we talk about specific terms, then the average indicators are as follows: during the second pregnancy, fetal movement is felt at about 18-20 weeks; with the third - by 17-18, with subsequent ones - by 16-17. The earliest case in which the multiparous managed to feel the movement of the fetus was at 10 weeks (when the abdomen was not even visible). The latest case is at 33 weeks (6 weeks before delivery, when the baby was already almost fully formed). [5]

Fetal movement during second pregnancy

During the second pregnancy, the body is already ready to bear the child, and fetal movement can occur much earlier. Most first felt the movement at 18-20 weeks. At first they were weak, and it was difficult to distinguish them from the rumbling that occurs with a strong feeling of hunger.

Gradually, as development progressed, these sensations intensified. It was already possible to clearly understand that there was a stirring in the uterus. There are several types of movements. And a caring mother gradually learns to understand the "speech" of the unborn child. Women note that in different situations the fetus behaves differently, and gradually you can learn to understand what is happening to him.

Fetal movement during third pregnancy

Most women note that during the third pregnancy, the sensation of fetal movement first arose at about 16-18 weeks of pregnancy. At first, it is weak, barely perceptible, coming from the depths of the body. Gradually, as the fetus grows and develops, the strength and intensity of sensations increases. The fetus becomes closer to the surface of the body, there is a feeling of stirring under the skin.

It is noted that the fetus can move like a worm. Longitudinal, intermittent movements are felt, of an undulating nature, reminiscent of the movement of a snake or a long worm. Many people have the feeling that there is a long ribbon parasite inside. Gradually, these movements intensify, grow. There is a feeling that the fetus daily bypasses the entire area, moves around the entire circumference of the uterus, throughout the free space. [6]

During the third pregnancy, women feel that the fetus makes a movement strictly at a certain time (which most did not notice before). Some say that he is more active in the morning, while others note increased activity in the evening or at night. Many women suggest that the fetus "walks", performs daily workouts tied to a specific time.

Fetal movement during the fourth pregnancy

Numerous surveys of pregnant women show that during the fourth pregnancy, the fetal movement becomes very strong, distinct. It is felt already at 15-16 weeks.

First, undulating movements appear. They are usually associated with normal, everyday activities. The duration of these movements may vary. Sometimes it is felt as the fetus "bypasses" the entire space, moving over the entire area. Visually, you can also notice how a wave passes under the skin along the abdomen, the fetus gradually moves. Sometimes short, undulating movements are felt, which quickly subside. There is a feeling that the fetus just moved, took a more comfortable position for him, and continues to be in a motionless position. Sometimes women notice sharp tremors.

Fetal movement in twins

With twins, the first fetal movement is observed at about the same time as with one fetus. They are more intense and longer lasting. Movement is also well felt from both sides, which almost never occurs with a singleton pregnancy.

Fetal movement in full

Completeness is a serious problem when carrying a child. Definitely, the first fetal movement is felt much later in obese people (than in people with normal or underweight). The more overweight, the harder it is to feel the movement. Subcutaneous fat acts as a shock absorber that dampens movement.

Fetal movements by week

We will conditionally assume that until the 20th week of fetal movements are not felt. Further, by weeks, the intensity and strength of movements differ. It should be borne in mind that for the first time you can feel the movement both earlier (from about 9-10 weeks), and later - from 25, and even 30 weeks.

Consider a very conditional description of the features of fetal movement, presented by week. [7]

So, from 20 to 23 weeks, light movements are felt that occur in the depths of the body. They are still fuzzy, and many women confuse them with the usual movement in the intestines, or with the rumbling in the stomach that occurs when you feel hungry.

Approximately at 24-25 weeks, the movements become more distinct, and it is already possible to accurately distinguish where the movements are associated with the activity of the intestines, and where the movements of the fetus.

From the 25th week, short undulating movements appear. They are usually intermittent, occur with a certain frequency.

From week 26, these movements become longer. There is a feeling that a long worm or a snake is moving inside. They are felt quite well, become visible visually (the abdominal wall moves, corresponding to the curves of the fetal body). Periodic pulsating movements are also felt. [8]

From 27-28 weeks, movements become very diverse. Every day, at about the same time, the fetus passes over the entire area of the uterus, moving in long, undulating movements. It is quite noticeable how it moves in different directions: it crawls as high as possible under the chest, under the diaphragm, then it goes down as much as possible, putting pressure on the pelvic region, lower abdomen. At this time, pain in the muscles can be felt (they are stretched). There is also pain, pressure and discomfort in the pelvis, thighs, buttocks.

From 28-29 weeks, the fetus already clearly reacts to touch, "expresses" pleasure, discontent. For each woman, this manifests itself individually, and gradually each mother learns to understand and distinguish between different reactions. Usually, if the fetus is pleased, there will be pleasant, smooth movements, like something swaying on the waves. There is a feeling that a light, smooth massage is being done from the inside, with pleasant strokes and wave-like movements. If the fetus is dissatisfied, the movements are usually sharp, reminiscent of tremors, and may be intermittent (dotted). Often such movements are unpleasant, painful. [9]

From about 30 weeks, the fetus begins to make various chaotic movements, moving in different directions - from the chest to the pelvic region, from left to right, and even diagonally. It is at this time that various bizarre forms can be distinguished: a head, a leg, or another part of the body can be clearly seen through the wall of the abdomen. The fetus begins to respond with various movements to appeal to him, to words, touches. It can move closer or further away from the hand if touched.

31-32 weeks - the movements are most noticeable. Often from this time on, the fetus clearly expresses its reaction to the father: it can even push and move constantly, “not finding a place for itself” when it is not around. Calms down when he talks to him, puts his hand. Some show a reaction to soft and pleasant things, to pets. So, if you put something soft, pleasant on your stomach, many women will feel how the fetus rises up and becomes as close as possible to the surface of the abdomen. If the thing is moved, he will start to follow it.

From 32-33 weeks, the fetus moves rarely, but strongly. Sometimes these movements can be painful. Movements are quite well felt when a woman goes to bed: the fetus also "fits" and moves until it falls asleep.

From 35 weeks, the frequency of movements gradually begins to decrease. It moves less and less, as it becomes quite large, and takes up almost all the free space in the uterus.

From 38 weeks, fetal movements are practically the same. They can be listened to with the help of special equipment. [10]

What is the movement of the fetus, the norm

There is no such thing as "the rate of fetal movement" in gynecology and obstetrics. Which movement is normal and which is not - only the woman herself can say, since these are subjective sensations. But in any case, all your feelings should be described in as much detail as possible, with all the nuances, to the doctor who leads the pregnancy. Based on the anamnesis, examination, laboratory test results, ultrasound, the doctor can roughly assume acceptable normal options for each woman. In any case, the woman's well-being is decisive. If all is well, it is likely that the fetal movement during pregnancy is within the normal range. [11]Any unpleasant sensation, especially pain, can be a sign of pathology, a signal that something is going wrong. Therefore, you need to carefully monitor your own feelings and talk about them to the doctor so that he can compare everything and draw conclusions.