Before you call the Doc..


It is not important what kind of fetal movement you feel as much as there being some activity throughout the day. In general during this stage your baby should move at least 10 times during a 2-3 hour period. If your baby is not moving this much or you feel unsettled about the slowdown in fetal movements try this before calling your doctor:



Drink fruit juice or a beverage high in natural sugars. Position yourself comfortably either on your left or right side and count the number of times you feel the movements which can be vary from a flutter to a kick to a somersault. After doing this for an hour or two your baby should resume movements in the usual pattern.


Why not call the Doc..



No activity or a sudden spurt of activity is a cause for alarm and should be checked with your doctor. Contact your doctor immediately if:


• You feel no movement for the whole day



• Less than 10 movements after 2 hours of monitoring



• Your baby's movement is different from what you experienced a day before



Some possibilities on lack of fetal movements in the third trimester:


• Some fetuses take naps that last for a few hours, similar to newborns. The rush of sugar usually wakes up the baby from slumber and you will feel your baby move in varying degrees.



• Babies become less mobile once their heads have firmly engaged in the pelvis.



• Fetuses who are quite inactive at this stage do not necessarily mean there is a problem but inactivity can also mean something as serious as fetal distress. Gaining assurance from the medical staff is important for timely intervention, if necessary.



What Next


At the doctor's office you will be offered fetal monitoring which is essentially a small monitor being strapped over your belly to record fetal heart rate. The procedure will last for an hour. Any issues with the fetal heart rate will be notified to your doctor who will further evaluate.