Childbirth is one of the most vivid and unforgettable experiences in a woman’s life, despite the pain experienced during labor. Does the baby move during them? Let's try to figure out these nuances together.
Why is movement important?
Starting from the 16th week (and in the second and subsequent pregnancies - earlier), expectant mothers experience indescribable sensations - the movements of the baby inside themselves. Previously, he was very tiny, but because his movements were not felt at all. But now he has grown up and is trying to push off from the walls of his "house" - the uterus.
And every day, approaching childbirth, many pregnant women are more and more concerned with the question: does the child move during contractions? We will be able to answer it later, but it is worth clarifying that by the time of birth the baby is already very large, and it is more and more uncomfortable to move. Nevertheless, fetal movements should be felt daily throughout pregnancy. After all, this is an indicator of his life.
The baby gets his first skills in the mother’s stomach. For example, so that after childbirth he can take his chest properly, nature endowed him with the need to suck his own finger. Developing a sucking reflex, the child has to learn to move his arms correctly. Of course, at such moments, the mother will feel his movements. So, we conclude that the movements are important and very necessary for the baby.
First stage of labor
And then came the long-awaited day when you entered the first phase of childbirth. You started to have mild uterine contractions. So, soon your child will be born! Whether a child moves before fights, every woman who has passed through this knows - no doubt, yes. But only these are not the tremors that were a month ago.
Mom’s stomach is cramped, so the baby moves only when necessary. It is believed that babies are quiet before the very birth. That is, they are not as active as before. While you experience slight pain, you can feel all the movements of the baby. But with the beginning of the second phase of childbirth, things will be different.
Active phase
The intervals between contractions are getting shorter, and their intensity is stronger. At the same time, the pain experienced by the woman in labor is growing. Now she can hardly recognize if the baby is moving during contractions - the baby’s movements and uterine contractions merge together.
By the way, at this very time the baby is in shock. He becomes scared, why did something unimaginable begin in such a calm atmosphere until this moment? He is trying to push off from the front wall of the uterus with his legs. True, his mother is unlikely to be able to feel it - she is distracted by pain due to contractions.
And if the child began to show himself too actively in the mother’s stomach, this may indicate a lack of oxygen. Doctors call this phenomenon hypoxia. Therefore, they must listen to the fetal heartbeat during the contractions of the mother and draw conclusions on this subject. It is worth contacting a doctor if you notice that the child is pushing much harder than usual.
Does the child move between contractions?
In the first birth phase, when the intervals between contractions are long, the baby's movements are felt in full. A woman in labor can very well control this process. However, in the second phase it is difficult to determine during contractions whether the child is moving. The baby, being an active participant in the birth process, increasingly rests his head against the bottom of the uterus. A woman feels these movements, and even experiences because of this pain in the lower abdomen.
You should not be scared as soon as the baby is born - the pain will be removed as if by hand. Some use the modern good - epidural anesthesia. During it, the lower body is numb, and contractions are not felt at all. True, only a doctor can prescribe it. If there is no urgent need, it is better to do without it and feel the entire birth process.
Usually between contractions, just before the attempts, the woman in labor does not have time to catch her breath before a new wave of pain. Of course, at this stage it is difficult for her to understand whether her baby is hustling or not.
And so that the expectant mother does not worry, doctors connect a special device that listens to the baby’s heartbeat. So doctors will be able to monitor the condition of the baby in the prenatal period, even if he suddenly lurks and does not move.
Conclusion
Childbirth is not an easy process. He requires a huge effort from a woman. Both physical and spiritual. A special exposure will come in handy for her when fighting. Does the baby move during this process? Now we know the exact answer - yes. But do not worry if the tremors are not as active as before.
Doctors closely monitor the condition of both participants: mother and baby. To make it easier for women emotionally, now there is a free service - the presence of a future father or grandmother at birth. They will be able to help count the time between contractions and track the condition of the woman in labor.
Do not worry that you can’t do it - your family is waiting for you with your long-awaited baby. And you will still miss his movements!