Fetal Movement

Fetal movement actually happens very early in the development, with some activity being able to be recorded on a scan as early as the sixth week of pregnancy, although you will not be able to feel these first slight movements. Most mothers only experience the sensation of fetal movement around 18 to 20 weeks, but if this is not your first pregnancy, you may become aware of the stirrings much sooner, as you will know what to expect and be able to distinguish actual activity as opposed to other normal sensations.
It is difficult to describe what those first movements feel like if you have never had the opportunity to experience them before. Many women liken them to mild twitches or the popping of bubbles, and as many would agree, these movements are unlike any other they have previously experienced, although it may initially be assumed that these sensations are just gut rumblings. If you experience these flutters for two or three days in a row, you can be pretty sure that it is fetal movement. As time passes you will begin to recognise these regular movements, and should experience them daily by the time you are between 24 to 28 weeks pregnant.

Differing daily movements

Fetal movement has long been considered a symptom of a normal healthy pregnancy, as it does offer the mother some consolation that all is well. There will most probably be times when you fail to notice movement, but before becoming too anxious, it is important to remember that each baby is different and the number of times he moves could change from day to day. Because of this variation, it is difficult to establish what would be normal, although as the pregnancy progresses, most babies do to tend to settle into a pattern of regular activity.

After the fifth month, fetal movement will become more noticeable, and can often be felt from the outer side of your abdomen. These movements will become more vigorous with time, but as you near full-term they tend to weaken, probably because there is less room in the womb for movement as your baby grows bigger.

Night-time manoeuvres

Fetal activity usually reaches a peak during the night, with many mothers reporting that their unborn babies are at their most active between 10pm and 2am. This rise in movement can probably be attributed to the evening meal, as glucose can trigger foetal movement, or the fact that during the day your baby was constantly rocked by your movement, and at night when you relax he is no longer lulled to rest.

Decreased movement

A marked decrease in foetal activity may indicate a problem, however it need not always indicate foetal distress.

The average foetal sleep cycle can vary from 20 minutes to two hours, especially after a period of great activity, and a decrease in movement may just indicate that your baby is having a longer sleep. A long period of low or no activity could indicate foetal distress, as your baby will move less in an attempt to conserve energy, especially if he is receiving a reduced supply of oxygen.

During pregnancy you will become aware of your baby's peak and normal activity levels - and should you notice a marked change in your baby's movement, it may just be wise to contact your doctor, who may perform an ultrasound scan to assess whether there is actually reason for you to be concerned.

In this case an ultrasound scan may be used for several reasons: to monitor the baby's activity and observe breathing patterns and to determine whether there is sufficient amniotic fluid. If there are seen to be complications, and you are nearing your due-date, the decision to induce labour may become a necessary option. Fortunately there are ways and means of detecting problems at an early stage, so it is a good idea to keep tabs on your baby's activity levels, and report any drastic changes to your doctor.