The difference between fetal movement and bowel movement

In fact, many friends cannot distinguish between fetal movement and intestinal peristalsis, but those who are careful can distinguish the two. Fetal movements are generally regular, while intestinal peristalsis is the movement of gas and there is a big difference in their locations. If you experience excessive fetal movements or fetal pain, you should seek medical attention immediately.

The difference between fetal movement and gastrointestinal peristalsis

Fetal movement refers to the movement of the fetus in the uterine cavity that impacts the uterine wall. The fetus stretches its hands, kicks its legs, and hits the uterine wall in the uterus. This is fetal movement. After 4 months of pregnancy, the fetal movement can be clearly felt. The number, speed, strength, etc. of fetal movements indicate the safety of the fetus. The gastrointestinal movement will be around the navel or a little higher. The baby will usually be below the navel. The gastrointestinal movement is the movement of gas, which is very different from the feeling of a real object pushing against the belly.

Under normal circumstances, the fetus moves at least 3 to 5 times in 1 hour, and the number of obvious fetal movements in 12 hours is more than 30 to 40 times. Some fetuses can move about 100 times in 12 hours. As long as the fetal movements are regular, rhythmic, and do not vary much, it proves that the fetal development is normal. The number of fetal movements is not constant. During the 28th to 38th week of pregnancy, the fetal movement is active, and then it weakens slightly until delivery. The pregnant woman's movement, posture, emotions, loud noises, strong light, and touching the abdomen can all cause changes in fetal movement.

Normal fetal movement indicates that the placenta is functioning well, that the fetus is receiving sufficient oxygen, that the fetus is growing and developing healthily in the uterus, and that the fetus is moving happily. Observing fetal movements in early pregnancy is helpful in estimating the prognosis of pregnancy. It is reported that the miscarriage rate is only 3% if there is fetal movement at 7 weeks of pregnancy. The miscarriage rate for those with no fetal movement can be as high as 98%. Ultrasound is also more sensitive in observing fetal movements in the middle and late stages. Sometimes smaller fetal movements are not felt by the pregnant woman but can be seen during ultrasound.

Changes in the sensation of fetal movement

1. The feeling of the first fetal movement. Pregnant women who are pregnant for the first time may feel fetal movement for the first time around 18 to 20 weeks. At the beginning, the fetal movement is intermittent, like a butterfly flapping its wings. Gradually, the fetal movements became stronger and more regular.

2. The feeling of fetal movement at 20 to 24 weeks. During these weeks, the fetus's movements will increase. From this time on, and for the next dozen weeks, the fetus will be very active.

3. The feeling of fetal movement at 24 to 28 weeks. The fetus may start to hiccup, so the pregnant woman may occasionally feel her stomach jumping up and down. The amniotic sac of a pregnant woman can now hold up to more than 700 ml of amniotic fluid, and the fetus can move freely inside it. At this time, the fetus can feel some external stimuli. When there is a sudden sound from the outside world, the fetus will jump in the uterus. Generally, starting from the 28th week, the fetus's life rhythm becomes more obvious, and he will have cycles of sleep and wakefulness. Doctors recommend counting fetal movements every day starting from the 28th week as a self-help method to monitor the baby's health.

4. The feeling of fetal movement from 29 to 31 weeks. The amplitude of fetal movement becomes smaller, but pregnant women can feel it more clearly. The amplitude of fetal movement becomes smaller because as the fetus grows, the space in the uterus becomes narrower and the fetus's movement is restricted.