We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Decreased Fetal Movement?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 10,325
Share

Decreased fetal movement is a drop-off in fetal activity that may occur naturally later in pregnancy but could be a cause for concern. Patients who notice changes in fetal activity can discuss them with their obstetricians to determine if they need evaluation or monitoring. It is important to be aware that this can occur naturally, and that if it is the sign of a problem, catching it early can increase the chances of getting adequate treatment. Sometimes there may be no special treatment available, and there may be nothing the parents could have done to prevent a problem with the pregnancy.

Doctors may advise their pregnant patients to use kick counting in pregnancy. While this term refers specifically to kicking movements, patients are encouraged to generally log all fetal activity. They should take note of activity patterns, particularly periods when the developing fetus is more active. This information can help to establish a normal baseline for the pregnancy, which can help if decreased fetal movement occurs.

In 10% of pregnancies, decreased fetal movement occurs with no ill effects. In other pregnancies, it can indicate that something is going wrong. The fetus may slow down due to lack of oxygen, suggesting that there is a circulation problem. Decreased fetal movement can also occur in the days before a fetal death, which may be the result of a congenital abnormality or another problem the expecting mother could not have anticipated. If the pregnancy results in a miscarriage or stillbirth, patients can ask the doctor for testing to find out what happened and determine if there is anything they can do for future prevention.

Patients who notice that their developing fetuses appear to be less active may want to consider lying down and focusing on fetal movement for two to three hours. It can help to pick a period when the fetus is normally active, and to try stimulating the fetus with activities known to cause reactions in the past. If the fetus doesn't move at all or seems unusually slow, the mother should report the decreased fetal movement to her doctor.

The doctor can perform a physical examination and may recommend an ultrasound to check for any problems. If the decreased fetal movement is indicative of a medical issue, it may be possible to provide treatment, such as decompressing the umbilical cord to address a lack of adequate blood supply. This may be done by asking the mother to change position. The doctor can also provide supplementary oxygen to boost fetal activity, and may recommend bed rest if there are concerns about the health of the pregnancy.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-decreased-fetal-movement.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.