Baby Kicks - what does it indicate, why monitoring baby movement is important & concerns that calls for immediate action!
Kick-O-Meter of little Samaira was pretty high, when she was inside me….no wonder why she is so fond of playing football 😊
Well, to let you know, I was able to feel her kicks or ‘quickening’ -as the baby’s first movement is called only after the 26th week of my pregnancy, and honestly, this worried me. Even after regular ultrasounds, and my doctor’s re-affirmations that – “your baby is doing absolutely fine” I would bombard him with dozens of questions, earnestly all enough to earn me a tag of “Brain Eater” but what to do, asking questions is the very essence of my profession ( Radio Jockey & Anchor) and now that attribute has got mixed in my blood too. Moreover, you just cannot take any chance with this littlest human. However, will whole heartedly like to thank my doctor Mr.Timothy, in Singapore for being so calm and considerate.
During pregnancy, keeping a track of your baby’s movement or activity pattern is vital, as they indicate the well-being of the little one breathing inside. First time moms can start feeling the baby movements between 18 to 25 weeks, but second time moms can feel it as early as 13 weeks. Having said so, remember each pregnancy is different and do trust your instincts and doctor.
Here’s some of the reason that leads to late comprehending of baby movements by pregnant moms:
a.Lack of experience: initially, the kicks are very light, subtle enough to not even get noticed. As first-time moms are unaware of how it feels, they may dismiss the feeble baby movements to be some gas bubbles or hunger pangs. Well, the baby is simply underplaying you see. Let few more weeks go and they will be in their full glory…Boom! As the baby grows, you may experience hard kicks that may cause little discomfort or slight pain.
b.Placenta Position: Pregnant women with an anterior placenta may feel delayed baby movements. An anterior placenta lies between your foetus and stomach. So, try and focus on the sides and lower belly to feel the movement.
c.Body Mass Index: Pregnant moms with higher BMI are unlikely to feel early baby movements sooner, as the abdominal wall is thicker making it difficult for them to feel the sensations.
So how many times should your baby kick?
A normal and healthy baby show 10 movements in the span of two hours. Do consider, the baby’s sleep cycles while recording the same. Sleep cycles can range between 20-40 minutes, and at times do extend up to 90 mins. After the 32nd week, the activity pattern of the baby becomes consistent and as the due date draws near, you will see difference in their type of movements too.
It is advisable for mothers to lie down on their left side and monitor the 10 or more kicks within 2 hours. Also, obesity do pose as a hindrance to your ability to feel the movements. So, as experts recommend, in scenarios where you do not feel 10 movements, try eating a snack or drinking something, take a walk for a while and then settle down on your sides to feel the movement. Maintain a chart or use kick counter for the easy record. Paying attention to a foetus’s movements in utero can alarm the mothers against any utero distresses and combat the risk of stillbirth.
What conditions are worrisome and demands immediate attention?
a. A drastic change in the baby’s regular movement pattern or their inactivity is indicative of the fact that your baby is not doing fine.
b.Condition like lack of amniotic fluid makes it difficult for the baby to move about.
c.Smoking or consuming alcohol can also have negative effect on your baby’s movement
d.Consumption of certain drugs or pain relief medicines or sedatives can also impact your baby’s healthy movement.
Be pro-active and contact your doctor for better clarity of the situation. The doctor may do an ultrasound or measure baby’s heart rate against their movements, thus taking necessary steps or give advise that works best in the interest of the baby and the mother.
So, that was some important pointers from my personal experience. Do you remember, when your baby kicked first?
Kick-O-Meter of little Samaira was pretty high, when she was inside me….no wonder why she is so fond of playing football 😊
Well, to let you know, I was able to feel her kicks or ‘quickening’ -as the baby’s first movement is called only after the 26th week of my pregnancy, and honestly, this worried me. Even after regular ultrasounds, and my doctor’s re-affirmations that – “your baby is doing absolutely fine” I would bombard him with dozens of questions, earnestly all enough to earn me a tag of “Brain Eater” but what to do, asking questions is the very essence of my profession ( Radio Jockey & Anchor) and now that attribute has got mixed in my blood too. Moreover, you just cannot take any chance with this littlest human. However, will whole heartedly like to thank my doctor Mr.Timothy, in Singapore for being so calm and considerate.
During pregnancy, keeping a track of your baby’s movement or activity pattern is vital, as they indicate the well-being of the little one breathing inside. First time moms can start feeling the baby movements between 18 to 25 weeks, but second time moms can feel it as early as 13 weeks. Having said so, remember each pregnancy is different and do trust your instincts and doctor.
Here’s some of the reason that leads to late comprehending of baby movements by pregnant moms:
a.Lack of experience: initially, the kicks are very light, subtle enough to not even get noticed. As first-time moms are unaware of how it feels, they may dismiss the feeble baby movements to be some gas bubbles or hunger pangs. Well, the baby is simply underplaying you see. Let few more weeks go and they will be in their full glory…Boom! As the baby grows, you may experience hard kicks that may cause little discomfort or slight pain.
b.Placenta Position: Pregnant women with an anterior placenta may feel delayed baby movements. An anterior placenta lies between your foetus and stomach. So, try and focus on the sides and lower belly to feel the movement.
c.Body Mass Index: Pregnant moms with higher BMI are unlikely to feel early baby movements sooner, as the abdominal wall is thicker making it difficult for them to feel the sensations.
So how many times should your baby kick?
A normal and healthy baby show 10 movements in the span of two hours. Do consider, the baby’s sleep cycles while recording the same. Sleep cycles can range between 20-40 minutes, and at times do extend up to 90 mins. After the 32nd week, the activity pattern of the baby becomes consistent and as the due date draws near, you will see difference in their type of movements too.
It is advisable for mothers to lie down on their left side and monitor the 10 or more kicks within 2 hours. Also, obesity do pose as a hindrance to your ability to feel the movements. So, as experts recommend, in scenarios where you do not feel 10 movements, try eating a snack or drinking something, take a walk for a while and then settle down on your sides to feel the movement. Maintain a chart or use kick counter for the easy record. Paying attention to a foetus’s movements in utero can alarm the mothers against any utero distresses and combat the risk of stillbirth.
What conditions are worrisome and demands immediate attention?
a. A drastic change in the baby’s regular movement pattern or their inactivity is indicative of the fact that your baby is not doing fine.
b.Condition like lack of amniotic fluid makes it difficult for the baby to move about.
c.Smoking or consuming alcohol can also have negative effect on your baby’s movement
d.Consumption of certain drugs or pain relief medicines or sedatives can also impact your baby’s healthy movement.
Be pro-active and contact your doctor for better clarity of the situation. The doctor may do an ultrasound or measure baby’s heart rate against their movements, thus taking necessary steps or give advise that works best in the interest of the baby and the mother.
So, that was some important pointers from my personal experience. Do you remember, when your baby kicked first?
Thank you so much :)
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Much much informative post Namita :) thanks for sharing dear !!
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Dear ..muje bahut jyada movements feel hote the pregnancy me baby ke ..Bhut helpful post share ki hai apne.
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Laxmi Mishra
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08 Apr 2021