Is It Normal for Baby to Slow Down Before Labor

Your baby's movements may feel different in the last few months of pregnancy, but he shouldn't move any less than before.

Between 20 weeks and 30 weeks of pregnancy your baby's movements will increase. They should also fall into a more recognisable pattern as he begins regular sleep cycles. Your baby will often sleep for 20 minutes to 40 minutes at a time, but he may even spend up to an hour and a half asleep. During these naps he probably won't move around much. Babies are often most active in the afternoon and evening, especially around your mealtimes.

From around 32 weeks, your baby's activity will stay roughly the same until you give birth. The number of movements you feel each day will plateau around this time, but they should not drop off. Your baby should continue to move to his usual pattern as you near your due date. He will even keep moving during your labour.

You may notice that his movements feel different in late pregnancy. This is because your baby has less room to move. He won't be able to flip and roll so easily and his kicks may feel different as he won't be able to stretch out his little legs as much. His movements will feel stronger and may be more uncomfortable. On the plus side, you may be able to see these movements rippling across your bump!

Don't worry about counting the number of kicks each hour or day. Every baby is different so there are no set rules as to how many kicks you should feel. It's more important to pay attention to your baby's pattern of movement and come to recognise what is normal for him.

If you think your baby's movements have slowed down or suddenly increased, contact your midwife or maternity unit immediately. Your midwife can check he's not in distress. It's important to get checked as soon as possible, so your midwife can reassure you all is well, and give you and your baby the right care if necessary.

To find out more about your baby's movements and how they might change over the course of your pregnancy, check out our week-by-week guide.

References

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RCOG. 2011. Reduced fetal movements. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Green-top guideline, 57. London: RCOG press. www.rcog.org.uk [Accessed March 2015]

RCOG. 2012. Information for you: your baby's movements in pregnancy. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. www.rcog.org.uk [Accessed March 2015]

Tveit JV, Saastad E, Stray-Pedersen B, et al. 2009. Maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes in women presenting with decreased fetal movements in late pregnancy. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 18(12):1345-51

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Winje BA, Saastad E, Gunnes N, et al. 2011. Analysis of 'count-to-ten' fetal movement charts: a prospective cohort study. BJOG 118(10):1229-38. www.bjog.org [Accessed March 2015]

Lorna Marsh is senior editor at BabyCentre. She has more than 20 years' journalism and editing experience, including working for the NHS.

Is It Normal for Baby to Slow Down Before Labor

Source: https://www.babycentre.co.uk/x25015787/is-it-true-that-baby-movements-slow-down-in-late-pregnancy

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