How many fetal movements per hour are normal?

When a pregnant woman experiences fetal movement, she may feel stomach pain. If the fetal movement is large, the pain may even be more intense. But in general, if a pregnant woman can feel obvious fetal movement, she will be in a better mood, because this proves that the fetus is more active in the belly. In addition, you can understand the physical health of the fetus based on the fetal movement. How many times an hour is normal for the fetus to move?

How many fetal movements per hour are normal?

When expectant mothers reach the middle stage of pregnancy, the baby is roughly formed, so there will be fetal movement at this time. Expectant mothers can interact with the baby in their belly and feel the baby's every move. Some babies are quite active, but others are relatively quiet. So how many times of fetal movement per hour is normal?

Let’s first understand fetal movement. The movement of the fetus in the uterus is called fetal movement. Fetal movement is a sign that the fetus is doing well in the uterus. During a normal 18-20 week pregnancy, pregnant women can feel fetal movements, 3-5 times per hour. The more weeks of pregnancy, the more active the fetal movements, but they decrease in the late stages of pregnancy. Generally, fetal movement reaches its peak after 28-32 weeks of pregnancy and gradually decreases after 38 weeks. Fetal movements are relatively even between 8 and 12 in the morning, are least between 2 and 3 in the afternoon, then gradually increase, and reach their highest between 8 and 11 in the evening.

1. Fetal movement is an indicator of pregnancy status. 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.

2. The frequency of fetal movements varies quite a bit. 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.

3. 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.

Fetal movement not only allows expectant mothers to feel their baby, but is also an indicator of whether the placenta is functioning well. However, the time is different and the baby's activity is different, so there is no fixed number of fetal movements. Up to five times per hour, or a little more or less, is considered normal, so don't be too nervous. Of course, if there is any abnormality, you must seek medical attention immediately.