I am 19 weeks pregnant and still can't feel the fetal movement. What's going on?

Many people are first-time mothers. Women are often more sensitive during their first pregnancy, and they don’t know much about pregnancy. We also know that fetal movement is a normal sign of pregnancy, so why can’t we feel fetal movement at 19 weeks of pregnancy? Next, let us learn about the relevant knowledge in this area, hoping to be able to help expectant mothers.

It shouldn't be noticeable yet, so don't worry too much. Fetal movement is like putting your hand outside a fish basket and feeling the fish jumping inside. Fetal movements will be more frequent from five to eight months, and the baby will be quieter in the month before birth. If you move too frequently or do not move for more than five hours, you should go to the hospital for a check-up immediately. Whether fetal movement is normal is an important criterion for measuring whether the baby is healthy.

When the pregnant mother can feel the baby moving in her belly, she has entered the second trimester of pregnancy, and the baby is usually 4 to 5 months old. Although a little life has lived in the mother's body for several months, the pregnant mother's feelings only become stronger when the fetus moves. Mother's love was instantly ignited, filled with fiery and exciting emotions.

What is fetal movement? Fetal movement refers to the active movement of the fetus in the mother's uterus, such as breathing, mouth opening, rolling, etc. If it is a passive movement, such as caused by the mother's coughing, breathing, etc., it is not called fetal movement. As the fetus grows, it will stretch and flex its limbs. These movements can help the fetal muscles develop properly. The fetus will begin to move around the 8th week, and the spine will make subtle movements at this time. The mother cannot detect fetal movement at this time. Generally, around 20 weeks of pregnancy, most pregnant women can feel fetal movement, which is especially obvious at night. The period from 29th to 38th week of pregnancy is when fetal movements are most frequent. As you approach full term, fetal movements will decrease slightly as the fetal head descends. As pregnancy progresses, the number of fetal movements decreases. However, some pregnant mothers feel fetal movement relatively late. This is mainly because the earliest fetal movement feels like a fish swimming or wings fluttering, and is often mistaken for indigestion, bloating or hunger.

The number, speed, strength, etc. of normal fetal movements can often predict the safety of the fetus in the uterus. Normal fetal movement indicates that the placenta is functioning well, that the oxygen supplied to the fetus is sufficient, that the fetus is developing healthily, and that the little life is living happily in the uterus. If the fetal movement is less than 20 times within 12 hours, or less than 3 times within 1 hour, it often means that the fetus may be suffering from hypoxia, and pregnant mothers should not take it lightly. The fetal movement is generally 3 to 5 times per hour, and about 30 to 40 times in 12 hours. Under normal circumstances, the strength and frequency of fetal movements vary throughout the day and night. The number of movements is less in the morning, increases after 6 pm, and is most active between 8 and 11 pm. This means that the fetus has its own sleep pattern, which is called the fetal biological clock. The strength and frequency of fetal movements vary greatly from person to person. Some have it more than 100 times in 12 hours, while others only 30 to 40 times. But as long as the fetal movement is regular and rhythmic, and the changing curve is not large, it means that the fetal development is normal. How do pregnant mothers count fetal movements? It is recommended that pregnant mothers conduct regular fetal movement monitoring and recording from the 28th week of pregnancy until delivery. The best time plan is to count the fetal movement once at 8-9 am, 1-2 pm, and 8-9 pm every day. Count for one hour each time. Add up the three counts and multiply by 4, which is the number of fetal movements in 12 hours. If you have difficulty counting three times a day, you can count once an hour before going to bed. The daily testing time should also be fixed. Then record the daily numbers and plot them into a curve. This will make it easier to observe changes in fetal movements and understand the safety of the fetus in a timely manner. It also provides reference materials for clinicians to make diagnosis. When counting fetal movements, pregnant mothers should lie on their left side in a quiet environment, concentrate their minds, and be calm to ensure that the data for measurement is ready. The four physiological changes of fetal movement are caused by the pregnant mother's sitting or standing posture, which makes the fetus feel uncomfortable and move. The fetus will adjust its posture to seek a comfortable position, and fetal movement will increase at this time. The fetus may also move due to the pregnant mother's emotional response. When the pregnant mother is angry, happy, excited, stressed, anxious or afraid, some special hormones, such as adrenaline, will be released in the body. These chemicals can pass through the placenta and enter the fetus's blood, causing the fetus's response to change with the pregnant mother's emotions. That is, if the pregnant mother feels angry or anxious, the fetus may become agitated and kick and punch. If the pregnant mother can sit in a quiet environment and relax, she will be able to calm herself and her baby's emotions. Loud sounds (such as music during prenatal education), strong light stimulation, and touching and pressing the pregnant mother's abdominal wall can all increase the number of fetal movements. The pregnant mother is in a state of hunger, which lowers her blood sugar concentration. At this time, the fetal movement will decrease or its intensity will weaken.

It is generally normal not to feel fetal movement at 19 weeks of pregnancy, so expectant mothers should not worry too much. If you feel that you have any problems, you must go to a regular gynecological hospital for a relevant examination. At the same time, during pregnancy, for the health of the baby, it is recommended that pregnant mothers should go to the hospital for regular prenatal check-ups.