How does a baby move before birth? What happens before childbirth. Is it possible to understand that the baby is ready for birth?

Childbirth is a long-awaited and inevitable physiological process that occurs at the end of pregnancy. Before birth, fetal activity undergoes significant changes and reflects the state of its health. A pregnant woman and a doctor should carefully monitor every movement in order to find pathology in time and protect themselves and the baby.

How does a baby normally behave before giving birth?

How does a child behave before birth? The level of development of the baby at 37–38 weeks of pregnancy is maximum. Height, weight and other anthropometric characteristics are almost equal to those of a newborn. Before birth, the child begins active preparation: he takes a comfortable position in the uterine cavity, but tries to avoid unnecessary movements, as he experiences strong pressure.

The period of position change is externally manifested by the baby’s active movements (the baby pushes in the stomach). The movements of the growing fetus in the last weeks before birth are a good indicator that signals the full development of all systems and organs of the baby and adaptation to new conditions.

Just before birth, the baby becomes quiet, preparing to leave the uterus. The fetus in the abdominal cavity moves down, the pressure on the anterior abdominal wall and bladder decreases, the frequency of urination increases, so the expectant mother experiences relief. In both primiparous and multiparous women, this occurs at 39 weeks.

Does the baby move during contractions?

Contractions are an integral part of the first stage of labor (we recommend reading:). They represent a synchronous process of contractions of the smooth muscles of the uterus, ensuring the opening of the cervix and preparation of the birth canal.

The baby's behavior during contractions changes, as the fetus experiences strong resistance from all sides. When contractions begin, he moves actively. True, a pregnant woman may not feel movements in the womb. This is due to the painful shock that she experiences during childbirth and the general stressful situation.

Why does the child begin to move intensely? Firstly, he feels fear and panic due to a sudden change in living conditions in the stomach. Secondly, the baby kicks, trying to get into a comfortable position. When the “path to freedom” is found, the child tries with all his might to move towards it (towards the opening of the cervix), pushing off with his feet from the bottom of the muscular organ.

The third reason is oxygen deficiency. During contractions, blood flow from the placenta slows down sharply, causing the baby to panic, and is restored immediately after the contraction (all indicators return to normal, and the baby calms down) (we recommend reading:).

Does the baby move between contractions?

Fetal movement between contractions (before childbirth) is almost not felt. The child needs to gain strength, recover, and fully prepare for the next “attack from the uterus.” Rarely, movements caused by the movement of the fetus along the birth canal or its change of physiological position in the uterine cavity can be observed.

When should you sound the alarm?

Childbirth is a very complex dynamic process. Violations can occur at any time. You should be concerned in the following situations:

• complete cessation of the child’s activity;
• the child is too active.

The child’s activity must be monitored before birth, as well as for a certain period of time before it (12 weeks). This will give a complete clinical picture.

Child hyperactivity

An active child before any birth is always bad! Typically, a child's hyperactivity is caused by compensated hypoxia, which is quickly monitored using cardiotocogram data or by listening to the fetal heartbeat (more details in the article:). Normally, this procedure should be performed every 30 minutes during childbirth. The main causes of hypoxia that occurs during childbirth are the following:

• Rh conflict between mother and child;
• moderate to severe anemia;
• disturbances of fetoplacental blood flow;
• placenta previa;
• premature detachment of a normally located placenta;
• large fruit.

The child becomes quiet

Just before birth, the baby experiences significant discomfort, as pressure is exerted on him by the walls of the uterus. Any pathology of this organ (hypertension, uterine prolapse, uterine fibroids, suture after cesarean section) can significantly worsen the baby’s condition. Under the influence of the described factors, the movements of the crumbs subside, but do not stop completely.

The child needs to position his head down, near the entrance to the pelvis, while free movements of the arms and head are limited, movements become weak. It is very important to be able to feel them to make sure that everything is okay with the baby.

Thus, the child’s behavior changes dramatically before birth. The baby should show mobility, but very weak, barely noticeable. If the child’s activity sharply decreases or stops completely, this means that the child is in a state of severe hypoxia or has received an injury, possibly incompatible with life.

Why count kicks?

The frequency of movement is an important indicator of the baby’s health and a criterion for assessing the process of labor. How many times a day should a baby move? Normally, a child makes from 45 to 55 movements per day. With this rhythm, there is no reason to panic. Two extreme indicators are taken as pathology - less than 6 and more than 60, at which emergency interventions are required.

The expectant mother should record every push, move, hit or jump, roll, push. You don’t have to record individual movements, but use another method: every day for 10 hours, track up to 10 episodes of maximum motor activity in the form of complexes.

During pregnancy, a woman should take care of herself, be attentive to the health and condition of her baby, and monitor his activity indicators. In general, the following is recommended:

1. Maintain a table showing fetal movements. This way the doctor will receive meaningful information. The table should start from the 28th week of pregnancy (see also:). You should monitor when any motor changes begin or, conversely, periods of calm.
2. Monitor the nature of movements on the eve of childbirth. This data must also be displayed in the table.
3. Periods of calm (usually lasting no more than a few tens of minutes) should not be confused with a complete cessation of activity. The baby “slows down” before the upcoming birth, but never stops moving completely.
4. The main thing is to come for a consultation with a doctor in a timely manner and report any deviations!

On the eve of childbirth, most expectant mothers are at a loss, they read a lot of information, checked sources, but some points require more detailed attention. In particular, I am interested in how a child behaves before giving birth, and is it possible to understand from his behavior that labor will soon begin?

Child activity and prenatal preparation of the mother’s body

The child’s motor activity, starting from the 36th week, is limited due to the fact that there is little room for movement, but the baby still wants and can turn around and play with his heels and toes.

Is it possible to notice changes in the child’s behavior that indicate the approach of labor, and what manifestations should be perceived as pathologies?

Child's behavior before birth

The external signs, behavior and functional characteristics of a child at 37-42 weeks are identical to the baby that was born: he has the same size, height, weight, and all his internal organs (if the pregnancy is without pathologies) function. If born during this period, the baby survives, breathes, and has a sucking reflex.

Wanting to see the slightest signs or harbingers of labor, pregnant women pay attention to the slightest changes in the child’s behavior. Until this moment, the baby and mother, being in a common relationship, feel each other, the mother knows the baby’s activity schedule and its intensity, the strength of the shocks. However, as obstetric practice shows, there are no obvious signs that would indicate an imminent birth.

Is it possible to determine the onset of labor by the baby's activity in the womb?

The activity of a child's movements in the womb is determined by his height, weight and the quality and quantity of transported oxygen, among other things.

If the baby’s movements are too active, he pushes sharply and painfully, the force of such pushes is very painful and frequent, you should consult a doctor.

Perhaps we are talking about oxygen starvation of the baby to varying degrees. In this case, urgent hospitalization is required, possibly an unplanned cesarean section.

Active tremors and intense pain anywhere in the later stages are a reason for additional consultation with a doctor. Insist on a fetal cardiogram, regardless of what the doctor says.

Can I stop moving before giving birth?

Complete cessation of movements at any time is a pathology. You cannot talk about the norm if:

• The woman notes a decrease in the intensity of movements for several days, with their periodic weakening until the movements completely stop.
• Initially, normal tremors gave way to intense and rapid movements of the fetus, then an abrupt stop.
• The mother initially had thick blood, and there was a violation in taking pills.
• Mom suffered from viral or acute respiratory diseases the day before.
• There was a history of fetal development pathologies or late pregnancy failure.
• Maternal diabetes mellitus.

Norm

Normally, there should be no complete cessation of movements. There may be a decrease in intensity, they occur less frequently, or the baby begins to move more often at night when the mother is sleeping. Such moments are worth monitoring; if the child does not move for more than 12 hours, immediately see a doctor.

There will be no unnecessary consultation with a gynecologist. However, during consultation it is worth focusing on ultrasound and QCT of the fetus. Only a baby’s cardiogram will show the true picture. Diagnostics with a wooden tube is not effective in some cases!

Pathology

The absence of tremors or movements with subsiding intensity is pathology. The critical milestone is considered to be when the baby moves 10 times per day. If the gestational age is more than 36 weeks, a decision is made to deliver the baby by caesarean section.

How does a child behave before childbirth with a narrow pelvis?

A narrow pelvis for a pregnant woman is considered a pathological anatomical manifestation, which calls into question the possibility of giving birth naturally. In view of the anatomical features of the structure of the pelvic bones, the question arises about the differences in the child’s behavior.

The method of birth is determined only by the doctor. In 80% of cases, it will not be possible to give birth on your own with a narrow pelvis.

There are no differences in fetal behavior with a moderately narrow or abnormally narrow pelvis. If prolapse of the uterus or abdomen is not detected, the child behaves as before. If the fetal head descends into the pelvis closer to the birth canal, and the cervix is ​​erased prenatally, then we can talk about a slight decrease in the child’s activity, but not a decrease in the frequency of movements: the child’s movements are weaker, but still frequent and constant.

Should it move actively?

The activity of movements in a child with a narrow pelvis during pregnancy is not changed. In many ways, the intensity of movements is determined by the baby’s temperament, his diet and the mother’s preferences:

1. Sweets increase the baby's activity.
2. Gymnastics and frequent walks by the mother in the fresh air help saturate the blood with oxygen, and accordingly the child feels good.
3. A balanced diet enriched with vitamins, fiber and minerals is the key to a child’s excellent well-being.
4. Yoga, light gymnastics or meditation also help saturate the blood with oxygen, and the child responds with the intensity and frequency of the kicks.

If it hurts to push

When the baby pushes in the womb so much that it hurts the mother, then it is worth paying the attention of a gynecologist to this feature. Pain when the baby pushes can be caused by the following features:

• Pinched nerve in the hip joint.
• Intercostal neuralgia of the mother.
• Fracture of the pelvis or hip bones.
• Fetal hypoxia, in which the child beats violently.

The baby's strong kicks in the womb are due to his desire to compensate for the lack of oxygen by stimulating the placenta.

The baby's kicks are barely audible

Weak tremors during pregnancy in the later stages, if they were such up to this point, are not considered a deviation from the norm. The idea that a baby “freezes” before birth is incorrect.

Most likely, his movements are less intense due to the fact that the baby’s height and weight are large enough to straighten his legs as before, there is no possibility of turning over or tumbling, but the movements as such have not become smaller. The little one still plays, pushes, reaches for her toes, and sucks her thumb. Mom feels the slightest movements.

Critically dangerous moments

Critical moments in the prenatal period are considered to be completely absent movements of the child. If a woman tries sweets, drinks soda, and the baby is still moving, this is a reason for urgent hospitalization. Critical moments are often associated with weak functioning of the heart muscle and placental abruption.

Placental abruption, premature aging and other pathologies are deadly conditions for the mother. The risk of stillbirth even with a cesarean section is 40%. The main rule here for both the woman in labor and the medical staff is adequate professional and timely assistance. Even partial placental abruption threatens the death of the fetus.

Does the fetus push during contractions, does it feel compression of the uterus?

Uterine tone or contraction of the muscular layer of the uterus with periodic rests are contractions. Such contractions before childbirth are considered training, but are not always observed; they often occur at night. If the expectant mother notes:

• first, aching pain in the lower back;
• then abdominal pain as before menstruation;
• lack of appetite;
• desire to constantly empty the bladder;
• pressure on the colon or false urge to have a bowel movement;
• bad dream.

In such situations, it is worth talking about the beginning of the birth process. At the same time, the mucous plug and water do not always and not necessarily come out of the woman in labor, and the pain is unbearable. Initially, such symptoms are unpleasant in nature, which is more reminiscent of pain before menstruation, and only after a few hours the symptoms appear - distinct contractions appear with traceable frequency.

The fetus does not feel compression or contractions of the uterus as painful. Its bones and cartilages are so flexible that it is not difficult for the baby to pass through the birth canal. In particular, the bones of the skull are formed in such a way that they are able to come together when the baby passes through the birth canal and then move back apart.

Fetal movements during late pregnancy are not a clear and not the main sign of impending labor. The baby may have little space, but his activity does not decrease because of this. Any changes in his behavior are a reason for urgent consultation and hospitalization.

Useful video

The activity of a child in the womb depends on many factors, including changes that occur within the body and in the external environment. Before the difficult process of childbirth, changes in the baby's movements may also be observed. They will help you recognize dangerous situations in time or make sure that everything is okay with your child. Since childbirth is a rather difficult process for both the child and the mother, you need to understand how the baby should behave during this period.

Now let's look at this in more detail.

Child activity

A couple of weeks before birth, the baby descends into the mother's pelvis, and the head is located between the thigh bones. At the same time, the woman feels that the uterus and fetus no longer put pressure on the ribs, and the volume of intrauterine fluid causes less discomfort. It becomes easier for her to breathe, and her stomach visually drops. Based on these signs, you can understand that the body is preparing for childbirth.

Before taking this position, the baby's movements may increase. Despite the relief in breathing, the pregnant woman feels discomfort from the bladder. Sharp shocks can cause pain to the mother and cause frequent urination. After the fetus descends into the pelvic area, the baby becomes cramped and movements decrease. If this does not happen, it is better to consult a doctor for examination. Most likely, the baby is indignant and tries to take the most comfortable position. Excessive activity may be a sign, for example, but the likelihood of this is low. The greatest activity of the fetus is usually recorded at 36-37 weeks of pregnancy.

Slowing down movements

Slowing down movements is always considered a greater danger than excessive fetal activity. A long break between movements or the number of tremors of less than 10 in 6 hours are considered dangerous signals and require urgent medical attention. As a rule, such a sign indicates a lack of nutrients or oxygen in the child. can occur for many reasons. It leads to quite serious complications and can be noticed in time precisely by a decrease in the number of movements. After increased activity at 36 weeks, approximately 2 weeks before birth, the baby's movements become less frequent, but remain regular.

Is it possible to understand that the baby is ready for birth?

You can understand that a baby is preparing to be born by changing its position. It begins to descend into the mother's pelvis and frees up space in the upper abdomen. Its size is quite large, so movements are limited, but the force of the shocks increases. A woman needs to count the number of movements or at least notice their frequency. It is believed that a week before giving birth, the baby should push his mother at least 24 times in 12 hours. However, excessive activity, for example 100 times, can also be considered abnormal.

It should be remembered that the baby also sleeps in the mother’s belly. During this period, its activity may not be felt. As a rule, the calm period lasts no longer than 2 hours. If you notice that you have not felt shocks or movement for a long time, you should immediately consult a doctor.

In addition to movements, the sufficient development of the child can be judged by the results of an ultrasound examination, where the size of the fetus is visible. The number of heartbeats in the prenatal period reaches 140 beats per minute.

Why count the number of movements?

Each child is individual. This also applies to physical activity. Some babies are active even in their mother's womb, while others sleep more. If you count the number of movements per day and notice their frequency, you can understand the individual characteristics of your child and determine within what limits the norm of his movements lies. By regularly counting movements, you can quickly notice a slowdown or increase in fetal activity and prevent dangerous conditions.

The most alarming signal is considered to be any sudden change - a sudden subsidence or sharp prolonged tremors of the baby. When visiting a doctor, cardiotocography is usually prescribed to assess the condition of the fetus.

• Create a special table in which you will note the time and number of movements of the child. With its help it will be easier to notice changes in any direction.
• A child's quietness does not always indicate serious problems; perhaps the baby is simply sleeping.
• Immediately before giving birth, his movements are more reminiscent of rotation or turning.
• Any movements or shocks that the mother feels can be considered as movements. If your child is quiet, try eating something sweet.
• 1-2 weeks before birth, the total number of movements may decrease as the baby becomes cramped. Moreover, they should occur regularly, without long breaks.

Answers to popular questions

Below are answers to the most popular questions that worry expectant mothers.

• Is it normal for a baby to become quiet before birth? Yes, in most cases, this is absolutely normal. The decrease in activity is explained by the lack of free space, the large size of the fetus and its descent into the pelvic area, which limits the possibility of movement. There is no need to worry if the baby still periodically makes itself known by movements.
• How to distinguish pathological calm from normal? Even if the child is not active enough or has little space, his movements should be felt. 24 movements in 12 hours (from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm) are considered normal. If you feel your baby more often, that's normal. If the intervals between movements are too long and the movements are less than 24, you should consult a doctor for a more accurate assessment of the fetus’s condition.
• Is it normal for the baby to become more active in the last weeks of pregnancy? Yes, this is absolutely normal. Before being lowered into the mother's pelvis, the baby must turn head down and take the correct position, which often feels like increased activity and a lot of kicking. If the baby’s movements bother the mother too much, for example, they are very active or painful and continue for a long time, you can consult a doctor for additional examination. Excessive activity may indicate a lack of nutrients or that something is bothering the child. However, this condition is more often a reaction to sweets. Observe your baby's movements to notice patterns and characteristics of his character - for example, he becomes too active after sleeping or eating candy.
• Are baby hiccups dangerous in the last stages of pregnancy? A child may hiccup quite often, about 5 times a day. As the fetus grows, its body weight increases, so the hiccups are felt more strongly. This condition is not dangerous and is completely normal.
• Is it dangerous for a baby to push hard? The strength of the shocks, as a rule, depends on the physical person and his characteristics. Some children are calmer, others demonstrate individuality already at the stage of intrauterine development. If the tremors bother the mother too much, it is best to consult a gynecologist for a more detailed examination of the condition of the fetus. If the child develops normally, you will have to endure the blows or try to calm the baby down with words. A child cannot cause any serious damage to a woman’s internal organs; in most cases, pain is simply a reaction of nerve endings.
• How can you be sure that everything is okay with the child if the movements are in doubt (very strong or too weak)? After contacting a doctor with her suspicions, the mother will receive a referral for an ultrasound and CTG. Thanks to these methods, you can look into the uterus and see what is happening with the baby, as well as examine the heart rate. If the umbilical cord is not pinched, no entanglement has occurred, and the heart rate is within normal limits, there is no need to worry.
• How to determine if your baby is getting ready for birth? Only a gynecologist can reliably determine that labor will begin soon, but the woman still feels some changes in her body. First, the baby takes a head-down position. This leads to the fact that leg kicks begin to be felt in the upper abdomen. In recent weeks, the mother can even feel where the baby’s back is facing. Such upper pushes indicate that the baby has taken the starting position and is in a breech position. After this, the baby descends into the mother’s pelvis and stops pressing on the fundus of the uterus. This allows the lungs to open more fully and the diaphragm to lower. Mom's breathing improves, becomes fuller, and shortness of breath disappears. Abdominal prolapse can even be visible visually.
• Does the baby move during contractions? According to medical data, the baby’s activity does not stop during labor and childbirth. It helps him leave the birth canal faster, squeeze into it correctly and be born. After the cervix dilates, the baby can push off the bottom of the cervix with his feet, while he will turn his head in order to better pass through the winding birth canal. The supply of oxygen during labor and childbirth deteriorates, which can also cause increased activity of the child. At the same time, between contractions the baby usually rests and gains strength, just like the mother.

All mothers, without exception, are concerned about the date of their upcoming birth. And it is precisely this question that cannot be given an absolutely precise answer. Even if a woman knows the date of fertilization up to an hour, it is still impossible to take into account all the factors influencing the birth of a child.

Doctors believe that a normal pregnancy lasts 280 days. Based on this period, they calculate the due date. There are several ways to calculate the baby's date of birth. For example, this can be easily determined by menstruation. From the first day of the last menstruation, 3 calendar months are subtracted and 7 days are added. This will be the possible due date.

There are also ways to calculate the day of the upcoming birth that are only available to a doctor. For example, by the size of the uterus, its location and the volume of the abdomen. However, these methods do not provide complete confidence in the correct determination of the child’s date of birth.

Now doctors are increasingly inclined to the conclusion that dividing children into full-term and premature does not make sense. They explain this by saying that if the pregnancy proceeds normally, without pathologies, then there will be nothing terrible if the child is born a little earlier or a little later than the due date. The main thing is that the child is physically mature at this time to be born. Therefore, a pregnancy that occurs between 35 and 45 weeks is now considered normal.

Harbingers of childbirth

As your due date approaches, certain signs may appear that indicate that labor is about to occur.

1. Breathing becomes easier

By moving the baby down, pressure is relieved from the diaphragm and stomach. It becomes easier to breathe. Heartburn may go away. This increases pressure on the lower abdomen. Sitting and walking become a little more difficult. After the baby is displaced downwards, a woman may experience difficulty sleeping; at this time it is difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position.

2. Change in appetite

Appetite may change just before giving birth. More often, appetite decreases. It’s good if a woman at this time trusts her intuition more when choosing products. You shouldn't eat for two.

3. Reducing body weight

Before giving birth, a woman may lose some weight. A pregnant woman's body weight may decrease by about 1–2 kg. This is how the body naturally prepares for childbirth. Before childbirth, the body must be flexible and flexible.

4. “Prolapse” of the abdomen

A woman may notice that her stomach has moved downward. “Descent” of the abdomen occurs due to the lowering and insertion of the presenting part of the fetus into the inlet of the small pelvis and the deviation of the uterine fundus anteriorly due to a slight decrease in the tone of the abdominal press. The child begins to descend deeper into the pelvic area. In primigravidas, this is observed 2–4 weeks before birth. For those giving birth again - on the eve of childbirth.

5. Unexpected change of mood

The woman is looking forward to “her time.” She can’t wait to give birth (“I wish I could do it soon.”). The mood may “suddenly” change. Changes in mood are largely associated with neuroendocrine processes occurring in the body of a pregnant woman before childbirth. Energy explosions are possible. The state of fatigue and inertia can suddenly give way to vigorous activity. The “nest” instinct appears. A woman prepares to welcome her baby: she sews, cleans, washes, tidies up. Just please don't overdo it.

6. Frequent urination and bowel movements

The urge to urinate becomes more frequent as pressure on the bladder increases. Childbirth hormones also affect a woman’s intestines, causing the so-called pre-cleansing. Some women may experience mild abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Almost like before an exam.

7. Pain in the lower back

After the baby is displaced downwards, the woman may experience uncomfortable sensations in the lower back. These sensations are caused not only by pressure from the child, but also by increased stretching of the sacroiliac connective tissue.

8. Changes in fetal motor activity

The baby may either calm down a little or move very actively. It is as if he chooses the rhythm and the most suitable moment for his birth.

9. Irregular uterine contractions

After the 30th week of pregnancy, false contractions may appear. Perceptible but irregular contractions of the uterus in this preparatory (preliminary) period are mistakenly mistaken for the onset of labor. A woman may feel certain contractions several weeks before giving birth. If a regular and continuous rhythm is not established, if the intervals between contractions are not reduced, then, as a rule, they do not at all mean the onset of labor.

10. There are three main signs of labor:

The beginning of labor is considered the appearance of regular contractions of the uterine muscles - contractions. From this moment on, the woman is called a woman in labor. Rhythmic contractions are felt as a feeling of pressure in the abdominal cavity. The uterus becomes heavy and pressure can be felt throughout the abdomen. The importance of the sign is not in the fact of contraction itself, but in its rhythm. Real labor contractions should be repeated every 15–20 minutes (other frequency is possible). Gradually, the intervals decrease: contractions begin to repeat every 3-4 minutes. During the period between contractions, the stomach is relaxed. When your stomach is relaxed, you should try to rest.

- Vaginal discharge of cervical mucus - mucus plug. The mucus plug may come off 2 weeks before birth, or maybe 3-4 days. This usually occurs after uterine contractions begin to widen the cervical canal - thereby displacing the mucus plug. The mucus plug keeps the canal closed during pregnancy. Loss of the mucus plug is a definite sign of labor. Discharge of colorless, yellowish, or slightly blood-stained, slightly pink mucus may occur.

- Discharge of water. The amniotic sac may leak, then the water will slowly flow out. It may burst suddenly, then the waters will “gush out in a strong stream.” Sometimes this happens before the rhythmic contractions of the uterus begin. This occurs more often in multiparous women. When the amniotic sac ruptures, no pain is felt. If the water breaks immediately, before the onset of rhythmic contractions, you should go to the birth center immediately!

Childbirth, how it happens

Every woman begins labor differently. Some women give birth “classically,” that is, contractions develop gradually, the intervals between contractions gradually decrease, and the desire to push arises. Others give birth “quickly,” that is, contractions are immediately active and the intervals between them are short. For others, the prelude to childbirth is delayed. Although every woman experiences labor differently, there are some things that are the same for most women.

Has it really started?

The long wait should soon be over - the mother will be able to hold the baby to her chest. She is happy, but as the deadline approaches, her anxiety grows. How to understand that labor has begun? Is it possible to relieve the pain?

A young woman who has never given birth before has a great many questions about the upcoming birth. Naturally, this process takes place individually for each person. Many pregnant women begin to feel anxious the day before contractions begin, sometimes experiencing palpitations, fever, or headaches. For some, painless uterine contractions may intensify or appear for the first time. Intestinal upset or increased blood pressure may occur, pain in the back, lower abdomen or pelvic bones may occur. The majority experience increased mucous discharge, including ichor - the discharge of the so-called mucus plug.

It comes suddenly

However, there may be no warning signs - in some cases, labor begins suddenly, with the appearance of contractions. Contractions are contractions of the uterine muscles that help open the cervix and gradually move the baby forward along the birth canal. They make themselves felt by periodic nagging pain in the lower back or lower abdomen, which becomes more regular and stronger. If contractions are repeated regularly and often, then it’s time to go to the maternity hospital. If the maternity hospital is far away, go there at the first sign, do not try to waste time waiting, for example, for your husband (or mother) to return from work - immediately call a specialized ambulance.

It is important

Powerful contractions of the muscles of the uterus and abdomen gradually push the baby's head through the uterine os and the birth canal. Expulsion of the fetus is a rather painful and difficult stage of childbirth, but by experiencing it, the woman gains confidence that the matter is vigorously moving forward. When the contractions are joined by pushing, the final period of the birth of the child begins. During pushing, the woman in labor feels an irresistible desire to push with all her might (at this moment she needs to carefully listen to the recommendations of the doctor leading the birth) - her muscles literally push the baby out.

Most women want to have a child naturally, without any medical intervention. It is clear that contractions can be quite painful. However, midwives and doctors know the means and methods to relieve pain.

Dispelling fears

Some women in labor fear that they will not be able to cope with labor pain, and therefore ask for pain relief in advance. Just like with a regular headache: some try to relax, get distracted, go out into the fresh air, others immediately grab medications.

It’s good that today doctors have many opportunities to help a woman during labor. And expectant mothers in the delivery room do not behave passively, as before - they can consciously influence the birth process. For a pregnant woman, it is important to thoroughly find out in advance what kind of help a particular clinic can offer. In addition, it is worth talking about your wishes and fears with your gynecologist. It is likely that he will dispel your fears and inspire firm confidence in a successful outcome.

The doctor warned me that not long before giving birth, the movements would stop. I listen all the time. When exactly does this happen?

In fact, the baby still moves in the mother’s womb, but she practically doesn’t feel it anymore. The baby may simply calm down 2 weeks before birth. However, sometimes the opposite happens: he flounders in the mother’s belly more actively, which also makes the woman worry.

There are several reasons why a baby becomes quiet before birth. This is a decrease in free space in the uterus, an increase in the size of the child’s body, lowering of the uterus and its compression by the pelvic bones. What also reduces the activity of the fetus is that its head is positioned at the entrance to the small pelvis; in the absence of presentation, the fetus itself is positioned strictly vertically. This position also does not allow him to be as active as he was before. When the baby moves in this position, the blows fall on the uterine fundus. In this case, the woman barely feels them, since this area of ​​the organ is supplied with a small number of nerve endings. This is why most pregnant women, before giving birth, feel like the baby stops moving.

At a longer period (at 39-40 weeks), the amount of amniotic fluid becomes smaller, and physiological oligohydramnios is noted. But the expectant mother should monitor changes in the child's activity in order to notice alarming symptoms. Thus, a signal of trouble is pain and very strong discomfort during movements; increasing the child's activity; moving less than 3 times a day 2 weeks before delivery.

If the fetus’s wakefulness in the mother’s womb causes pain, then it is likely that it lacks oxygen and hypoxia develops. Or it may be the other way around: a deficiency of an important substance makes the child inert and lethargic. So he stops making himself known. Old obstetricians recommend that their patients start keeping a diary in the last month of pregnancy, in which they need to record the time and number of movements, their activity. This very often helps to promptly notice signs of hypoxia or other troubles.

Fetal movement before birth

How does the fetus move before birth?

Fetal movement before birth may vary in intensity. What sensations can be considered normal, and what necessarily requires medical attention?

The expectant mother begins to feel the first movements of the baby from the 18th to 20th week of pregnancy (depending on what kind of pregnancy she is). These movements of the fetus are very gentle and careful, since the baby is still very small. If you place your hand on the abdominal wall, you will not feel any movement.

As the period increases, fetal movement during pregnancy becomes more and more noticeable. The baby literally turns over in the uterus and often changes its position. Therefore, experienced specialists do not write in the ultrasound report about the presentation of the fetus for up to 28 weeks. Even if it is pelvic or leg, it will probably change more than once.

After 32 weeks of pregnancy, movements become similar to the movements of a newborn baby. And by the 36th week, you can easily see on the skin the parts of the fetus that rest against the wall of the uterus.

Fetal movement before contractions may become less noticeable and be felt a little less frequently. They also say that the baby becomes quiet - this is one of the signs of an imminent birth. However, at any stage there are norms for the minimum number of fetal movements per day. This is 10. That is, not just 10 pushes, but 10 series of movements.

What to do if the child has become quiet and has not made himself known for a long time? It is necessary to visit a doctor unscheduled. He will be able to listen to the fetal heartbeat using an obstetric stethoscope. If necessary, do a CTG or ultrasound.

Our women also have the opportunity to independently listen to the baby’s heartbeat using a pocket fetal doppler. Its cost is about 5,000 rubles. You can save money if you buy a used device from a woman who has already given birth (ads for sales can be found on mommy forums). The device allows you to easily record the baby’s heartbeat from 12 weeks (some models, according to manufacturers, work already at 8 weeks). That is, at such early stages, when doctors cannot yet listen to the child’s heart with their “tube”. Listening will be helped by applying a special supersonic gel to the skin of the abdomen. Fetal Doppler is safe for the expectant mother and fetus. Trying to listen to a child’s heart on your own using a regular stethoscope is a useless exercise. Just like inviting your husband or other loved ones to listen to the baby’s heart by putting your ear to your stomach.

It is clear about the subsidence of the fetus, but what to do if, on the contrary, there is active movement of the fetus before childbirth, which does not allow you to sleep peacefully and do business? This behavior of the fetus may indicate some oxygen deficiency. Usually, a walk in the fresh air is enough to calm the baby.

How does a baby behave before birth: is the fetus quiet or active?

Expectant mothers often wonder whether the baby is quiet or active before giving birth? The baby's behavior before birth is usually calm. The child does not make unnecessary movements and calms down. This behavior of the fetus is due to the fact that the little person is gaining strength before the difficult process of birth. It is worth noting that the complete absence of fetal movement before birth is also dangerous.

Lack of movement or activity, which is better?

Before being born, the little person takes a certain position, the mother's belly drops, and the baby no longer presses on the ribs. The hip bones fix the position of the baby, the intrauterine waters decrease and the baby becomes cramped inside.

These processes usually occur 2 weeks before the onset of labor. During this period, the child no longer grows and begins to accumulate strength for birth. At this time, you need to pay attention to how the baby behaves before birth. During the 37-38 weeks before birth, the baby moves strongly, taking a certain position, before appearing in this world.

Movements during this period are periodic and strong. The fetus does not put pressure on the ribs, but it greatly affects the functioning of the bladder. Sudden and strong movements bring pain to the mother and frequent urination. Over time, the baby's movements before birth decrease, their frequency changes, this happens at 39-40 weeks, when the baby is about to be born.

Child activity

If the baby does not calm down before birth, this does not mean that any complications may arise during childbirth, it may be a sign of the baby’s readiness and indignation. The child does not always calm down before giving birth, and this can only be for the better, since the expectant mother will feel better about the child and know on a subconscious level what her son or daughter wants. So, to the question of whether the child calms down before childbirth, we can safely answer that no, and such behavior of the child is absolutely normal.

No movement

As for the reduction in the number of tremors, this could be a warning sign. If the child suddenly stops moving, and the number of tremors per day becomes less than 6, then you should immediately consult a doctor. This is why you need to monitor whether the baby is moving before birth.

It is worth remembering that fetal movement before birth is absolutely normal, but its absence can be an alarm bell, which means that the baby is not getting something. If you observe how your baby behaves before birth, you will be able to understand when he is ready to be born. The child’s behavior before birth is extremely important, and if you correctly understand when the baby is ready to be born, the mother can also prepare for it.

How can you tell when your baby is ready for birth?

It doesn’t matter whether the baby calms down or is active before birth, the main thing is to correctly count all the movements and tremors of the fetus, this way you can understand how long the baby will remain inside the mother. As mentioned above, if the child moves less than 6 times per day, then this may be a sign of concern.

The number of movements of the baby 1 week before birth should be approximately 24 times in 12 hours. Therefore, it cannot be said that the child’s activity before birth decreases significantly. On the contrary, these movements of the child before birth become more noticeable and periodic. At the same time, before giving birth, the baby should not move much; for example, moving more than 60 times indicates that something is missing.

For example, such excessive activity of the fetus before birth may mean that the baby is oxygen deprived. The small organism in the mother’s womb conveys its sensations and emotions through movements; the mother’s body recognizes and understands everything the baby wants to say.

Why do you need to count the number of movements?

It is necessary to count the number of movements of the baby, but doctors do not always consider this an indicator that the baby is about to be born. Based on the amount of movement the baby makes, doctors will determine how he is feeling, whether he is ready for birth, and whether there are any factors that are bothering him. Most often, this process helps the mother determine whether the baby is quieting before birth or not. Also, by counting movements, you can determine how the baby behaves before birth.

conclusions

In conclusion, several conclusions can be drawn:

1. The baby does not always calm down before birth, but excessive movement can indicate danger.
2. The normal number of movements a child makes per day is approximately 48-50.
3. To determine whether the baby is moving before birth, it is necessary to count the number of kicks for each hour.

• It is necessary to create a table in which you need to count and record how the fetus behaves before birth. Such a table will help you notice changes in the baby’s movements;
• It is worth remembering that a calm baby may not always mean an imminent birth; you need to pay attention to how the baby moves before birth, his movements before birth are similar to turns;
• Movements are considered to be any noticeable movements or several pushes that the baby makes in a few seconds. If there is a feeling that the baby inside has stopped moving for a long time, it is recommended to eat something sweet; chocolate candy would be an ideal option. After this, you need to lie on your left side;
• You need to pay attention to how long before birth the baby calms down. Most often, the number of movements of the child decreases within 1-2 weeks.

It is necessary to observe how the baby’s movements change, and this way the expectant mother will be able to understand when the baby is ready to be born.

How does the baby behave before giving birth?

How does a child behave before birth? How does he feel, is he calming down, and what changes are taking place in his body in connection with his upcoming birth?

In recent weeks, the baby has hardly gained weight, he is already big, now nature is preparing him for independent life, very soon he will have to breathe on his own, eat, and do many things that his mother’s body has been doing for him for 9 long months.

In recent days, the child becomes quiet, as if sensing impending big changes. Preparation for childbirth is accompanied by a decrease in the amount of amniotic fluid, which creates increasingly crowded conditions in the uterus. The position of the baby is of great importance for the upcoming delivery. About 2 weeks before birth it becomes stable, the same as it will be at the beginning. Pressing the presenting part of the fetus against the pelvic bones immobilizes the baby, and the baby’s activity naturally subsides before birth.

Since the belly drops, now the baby does not cause pain to your ribs, however, the position of the baby before birth is low, pressed against the pelvis, leads to the fact that now more and more unpleasant pokes go to your bladder and perineum, this is not only painful, but can also be cause of urinary incontinence.

A child’s behavior before birth largely depends on his condition.. It’s bad if he’s too active, but there’s nothing good about a complete lack of movement either. A woman should monitor the motor activity of the fetus, because it signals its well-being or non-well-being. If the baby moves actively before birth, this may indicate that he does not have enough oxygen. Fetal hypoxia is dangerous and often becomes an indication for urgent delivery, in severe cases even for caesarean section, so if the baby kicks hard, you should inform the doctor about this. You will probably be prescribed a CTG to clarify the condition of the fetus, and based on the results of the examination they will decide what to do next.

An active fetus is not always a bad thing, so don’t be upset in advance if it doesn’t give you peace, just don’t ignore the symptom.

Sometimes the baby's movements become so rare that it frightens the expectant mother. If you do not hear your baby's movements or they are infrequent, perform a Pearson test. A complete lack of movement for several hours in a row is a reason to urgently consult a doctor, and if they still exist, counting the movements will help you make sure that everything is fine before visiting the doctor.

The “count to 10” test is carried out as follows:

Draw a simple table in which you mark the time from 9 am to 9 pm with intervals of half an hour and days of the week. We count movements every day. From 9 am we begin to count all fetal movements, even the weakest ones. A series of movements is counted as 1 movement. Having counted 10 movements, we put a tick in front of the time in the table, and you can no longer count on that day.

With the help of the test, you will understand whether the baby is moving before birth and whether he is active enough. There should be at least 10 episodes of movement per day. The table allows you to track your baby’s activity day after day, and immediately notice that there are too few or too many movements.

The observing gynecologist is always interested in how the baby moves before birth; he will only be glad if you start keeping such a diary, because the dynamics of movements accurately indicate the condition of the fetus and can become a signal for the need for additional examination.

Baby's activity before birth

Very soon the baby will be born. But what happens to him in the last months before giving birth? This is a question many pregnant women ask, and for good reason.

In recent weeks, the child has suddenly changes the way he moves. He no longer moves so actively, the movements are no longer so small.
In fact the movements simply change their character– they become rotationally-translationally towards the cervix.

This is all due to the fact that the presenting part of the fetus descends - this is in order to stimulate contractions. Also, the baby simply becomes cramped in the uterus, and this makes it difficult to move.
Quite often, motor activity, on the contrary, increases and this is also the norm. The worst thing is when there are no movements, or they are restless and accompanied by pain.

Same for you don't be afraid of hiccups, which very often occurs in the last stages of pregnancy. A child may hiccup up to 5 times a day and this is normal.

Number of movements per day there should be at least 24. But each little person is an individual, so the number of movements may be different. Do not forget that the child can sleep and the movements stop.

In the last months of pregnancy, the baby sleeps and wakes, just like the mother, only the hours do not coincide - the baby rests more. Baby's movements can be strong and demanding- This is most likely a demonstration of your character.

Very important during the last months monitor the number of movements. Because only you can understand what is happening to your baby. Many women experience hypoxia or anemia during pregnancy, and this is very unfavorable for the development of the fetus.

If everything is fine with the baby, then his kicks will resemble a game, and if something is wrong, then the kicks will become very active and sharp.

If you believe the numbers, then you have the exact number of movements per day. In one hour, the child should make about 2 movements. But it is better to choose a longer period - up to 12 hours. It just might turn out that the baby is sleeping. If you want to wake him up, eat some candy or lie on your left side. All children love sweets and awakening will not take long.

Remember that the number of movements before birth will never be accurate. There is simply no exact figure. Know one thing: every child is an individual.

Should I worry if my baby reduces activity before birth and becomes quiet?

By carefully listening to her body, the expectant mother may notice a few days before the expected date of birth that the baby has become quiet. His movements became less active and painful, he stopped protruding his legs from his stomach. Many people believe that before childbirth, a child always calms down, preparing for the upcoming birth. But is this true or should we be wary?

Reasons for decreased activity

The decrease in child activity is due to several factors:

1. An increase in the size of the fetus - there is simply no room for active action.
2. Reducing the amount of water - the less amniotic fluid, the more difficult it is for the baby to move in the uterus.
3. Changing the position of the fetus - before birth, the baby takes a vertical position and rests its legs on the fundus of the uterus, where there are no pain receptors. Even with vigorous activity of the fetus, a woman may not feel movement and consider that the baby has calmed down.

The listed reasons for the baby to subside before birth are within the normal range, so there is no need to worry.

Negative reasons

But the child’s behavior before birth may change for other reasons:

• Lack of oxygen;
• Low water;
• Death of the fetus.

In this case, the child can either calm down or, conversely, begin to become more active, causing severe discomfort to the woman.

When should you see a doctor?

If the fetal behavior has changed slightly, then do not panic. Most likely, the baby is simply uncomfortable pushing with his legs and arms, so he humbly lies in one position, only occasionally stretching his limbs. If the child has radically changed his behavior, his kicks are felt less than three times a day, then you need to consult a doctor. Specialists will conduct an ultrasound examination and listen to the heart to see the reason for the subsidence.

If the fetus is too active, you should also not endure painful sensations. The baby's hyperactivity indicates hypoxia, that he lacks oxygen. If measures are not taken in a timely manner, serious disruptions in the functioning of the brain and nervous system and even fetal death are possible.

Treatment

If there is a slight decrease in fetal activity, women should give up physical activity and get more rest. Tasty and healthy food will give your baby many of the nutrients he needs to prepare for childbirth. To prevent hypoxia, walking in the fresh air is useful. Just don’t overdo it – two hours a day is enough. At the same time, you need to take breaks and rest on a bench so as not to overwork.

If fetal activity decreases, it is recommended to abstain from sexual activity. Despite the positive aspects of sex, the mother’s body needs rest. It is better to spend time in good company, recharge with positive emotions and not think about the bad.

If the doctor finds serious deviations from the norm, the expectant mother may be sent for a caesarean section or admitted to a hospital for preservation. During the treatment period, the woman is given medications to maintain the vital activity of the fetus, increase water supply and the amount of oxygen.

The expectant mother should listen to herself throughout the entire 9 months. Particular vigilance is required after 20 weeks, when the baby’s movements are clearly felt. By the tremors you can judge the baby’s condition and his well-being. And if he feels bad, he will tell about it by changing his behavior.

Fetal movement before birth

It is impossible to know exactly when natural childbirth will occur in advance. However, a woman who is looking forward to her baby still tries to predict when contractions will begin and it will be time to go to the maternity hospital. That is why in recent weeks she pays maximum attention to the so-called harbingers of labor. Among the signs by which you can assess when labor will occur is the baby’s activity.

Child's behavior before birth

Many expectant mothers know that before giving birth, the baby should calm down, as if preparing for the difficult test that nature has prepared for him. However, if you ask mothers you know whether the baby calms down before childbirth, it turns out that the picture is far from clear-cut. Some mothers claim that their children seemed to feel that labor would soon begin, and their stomachs became quiet a couple of days before the contractions began. Others felt active movements even during labor between contractions. Based on this, some begin to think that it is not worth paying attention to how the baby behaves in the stomach.

Baby's activity before birth

Meanwhile, it is necessary to monitor the baby’s activity, just like the position of the fetus before birth, which ideally should be cephalic. If the child is too quiet and does not move for 12-16 hours, you need to consult a doctor in order to assess his condition, because hypoxia and oxygen starvation are possible, then you will have to urgently induce labor or even perform a cesarean section. Too much activity can also indicate that not everything is okay with the baby. Therefore, try to monitor the child’s condition and consult a doctor at the slightest suspicion.

However, the fact that the baby calms down before birth is actually caused by physiological reasons - it becomes cramped and uncomfortable in the mother’s stomach, and therefore active movements become increasingly rare. Therefore, if you simply notice that the child moves less actively week after week, and doctors do not diagnose any problems, there is nothing to worry about.