Decreased fetal movement can occur naturally but may also indicate a problem. Patients should discuss changes in fetal activity with their obstetricians and use the pregnancy kick count to establish a baseline. A decrease in fetal movement can indicate a circulation problem or fetal death. Patients should report decreased fetal movement to their doctor and may undergo a physical exam or ultrasound. Treatment options may include decompression of the umbilical cord, supplemental oxygen, or bed rest.
Decreased fetal movement is a drop in fetal activity that can occur naturally later in pregnancy but could be a cause for concern. Patients who notice changes in fetal activity can discuss these with their obstetricians to determine if they need evaluation or monitoring. It’s important to be aware that this can happen naturally, and that if it’s the sign of a problem, catching it early can increase your chances of getting proper 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 the pregnancy kick count. Although this term refers specifically to kicking movements, patients are generally encouraged to record all fetal activity. They should take note of activity patterns, especially times when the developing fetus is most active. This information can help establish a normal baseline for your pregnancy, which can help if you experience decreased fetal movement.
In 10% of pregnancies, a decrease in fetal movement occurs without adverse effects. In other pregnancies, it can indicate that something is going wrong. The fetus may slow down due to lack of oxygen, suggesting a circulation problem. There may also be a decrease in fetal movement in the days leading up to fetal death, which may be the result of a birth defect or other problem that the expectant mother could not have foreseen. If the pregnancy results in a miscarriage or stillbirth, patients can ask their doctor for tests to find out what happened and determine if there is anything they can do for future prevention.
Patients who notice that their developing fetuses seem to be less active may want to consider lying down and focusing on fetal movement for two to three hours. It may be helpful to choose a time when the fetus is normally active and to try stimulating the fetus with activities known to cause reactions in the past. If the fetus does not move at all or seems unusually sluggish, the mother should report decreased fetal movement to her doctor.
Your doctor may perform a physical exam and may recommend an ultrasound to check for problems. If decreased fetal movement is indicative of a medical problem, it may be possible to provide treatment, such as decompression of the umbilical cord to address the lack of adequate blood supply. This can be done by asking the mother to change positions. The doctor may also provide supplemental oxygen to increase fetal activity and may recommend bed rest if there are concerns about the health of the pregnancy.
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