The fetal movement test is a simple record you can make of your baby's movements to help determine its well being and health.
It can be done at home and all that is needed is a pencil and a piece of paper. Or you can download BabyPartner's fetal kick chart and fill in the information from week twenty eight on!
All of us feel more energetic one day over the next, and your baby is no different. But the pattern of movements will stabilize after week twenty eight and you will be able to start monitoring the kicks you feel.
Not all fetal movements are felt by the mother. Experts suggest that only ninety percent (9 in 10) of the baby's movements are felt by most women, and some women only feel sixty percent (6 in 10). This is because the strength of the movement depends largely on the baby's position in the uterus. A kick back towards the spine will be less noticeable than a kick forward to the belly.
There are two equally accepted ways to do the fetal movement test. A baby is generally considered healthy if the mother records three movements in a one hour period, or ten movements in a twelve hour period. BabyPartner's fetal kick chart uses the count-to-ten method because we believe it is less stressful for the mother who may spend most of the day worrying if she doesn't feel three movements during any given hour.
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Most mothers probably notice more activity in their baby while they are sleeping. But that is because there are fewer distractions at night. In fact babies develop their own sleep-wake cycle, often sleeping for twenty minutes followed by activity for thirty minutes. Your meals will not increase or decrease the number of movements made by the baby, but alcohol, cigarettes, sedatives and narcotics will.
You may notice many different kinds of movements: kicks, turns, flips or swishes. Starting at nine in the morning record each movement you feel into your fetal kick chart at the time that you feel it. After noting the tenth movement you can stop counting for the day and start again the following morning. Remember than your baby may move ten times in thirty minutes or in twelve hours.
If by nine in the evening you have counted fewer than ten movements, note the total number of kicks you have felt in the space provided below. After a few days you will begin to notice a pattern of movements that you can share with your doctor, and that will alert you if something is wrong.
The rhythmical flutter you feel may be heartbeats are actually fetal hiccups! Fetal hiccups begin in the middle of the second trimester and become more frequent in the third trimester. We do not know what causes fetal hiccups or why they occur. The presence of fetal hiccups throughout your pregnancy has no significance to the health of your fetus; so if you notice your fetus hiccupping have fun with it!
If you are worried about the health of your fetus this is an inexpensive, simple and accurate method to reassure yourself that your fetus is well.
There are few, if any, risks associated with this test.
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The fetal movement test can be performed any time after week twenty eight.
As the days and weeks progress you will begin to notice a pattern in your baby's movements. And you will also notice if the pattern changes. If you notice a significant change in the movements of your baby you should contact your doctor immediately. Your doctor will want to know about any changes which could be a sign of fetal distress and should be contacted if you notice any of the following:
If over the course of twelve hours you have felt no movements you should contact your doctor immediately to find out what is wrong. Usually the baby is sleeping, but your doctor will be able to determine your baby's health quickly using ultrasound or electronic fetal monitoring and make a decision about the need for intervention.
You may decide to purchase a stethoscope early in your pregnancy. Have your doctor teach you how to use it so that you and your partner can learn what to listen for. This will give you the opportunity to check the fetal heartbeat on days when there is little or no movement. This can be very reassuring for all mothers who obviously become anxious to discover whether their baby is still alive after feeling no movements.
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