The movement of the foetus (baby) inside the womb gives the expectant mother a wonderful and joyful feeling. Mothers must look forward to this feeling every day, and absence of this feeling of movement must be considered an alarming situation. When and how do we determine that the foetus is moving, and when do we need to be alert?

The movement of the foetus must be monitored from week 28 of the pregnancy. Only the mother can feel the movement of the foetus inside the womb, even a doctor cannot predict it. One hour after a meal, lie down on your side, and do the following: keep a thread in your hand and for every movement of the foetus like kicking, twirling etc. make a knot on the thread. Repeat this process 3 times a day, and in one hour the mother must be able to feel at least 15 movements. Sometimes the foetus may be asleep inside the womb, and then there will not be any movement. In that case the mother can gently tap on the stomach to wake up the foetus or wait for some time and then monitor the movements.

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Also Read: Newborn Screenings

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The movement of the placenta can be felt until week 40 of the pregnancy. After that it may reduce or totally stop. In case of IVF pregnancies, women with hormonal problems and high-risk pregnancies, the movement of the placenta may reduce or stop well before week 40, leading to slackness in the movements of the foetus.

The movements of the foetus may also reduce in frequency due to reduction in oxygen levels, pressing of the placenta, reduction in the level of water inside, increase in glucose levels or blood pressure, or kidney failure.

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Also Read: Common health issues of newborn babies

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If the mother senses a change in the movements of the foetus, she must immediately become alert and see the doctor. If you sense that the foetus does not move and you still ignore this, it may lead to death of the foetus inside the womb.

Even in the case of a problem with the foetus, after 28 weeks it can be taken out and incubated and given appropriate treatment to restore life. Therefore it is important that pregnant women do this easy self-test called “foetal alarm signal”.

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Also Read: Baby’s Feet – Development, Problems and Foot Care

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Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.

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