Feeling your baby’s kicks in the womb for the first time is an exciting milestone! And as your pregnancy develops, those little butterfly flutters change to boisterous acrobatics, punches and kicks in your womb. But what does a super active baby in the womb mean?
These movements might be so strong sometimes that they could wake you up from sleep! So have you ever wondered, what does a super active baby in the womb mean for both his development and your pregnancy?
To be more informed on what a very active baby in the womb means, we’ve made a guide for what mummies-to-be should know. We’ll be looking into how active movements could affect your baby. In addition, you’ll learn how to stimulate baby movement in the womb. We’ll also detail when you should worry and consult your doctor.
If you like to check the beating heart of your baby in the womb, use this fetal doppler!
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What Does A Super Active Baby In Womb Mean?
If your (over) active baby in the womb is starting to get you anxious about why he’s so wriggly, perhaps the results of a new study will put you at ease. An active baby’s kicks give them a way to stretch or say “hello” to the outside world. But did you know that these kicks also help sculpt and strengthen their bones, muscles and joints?
The study, published in the Journal of the Royal Society, mapped out the movements of an active baby in the womb. In other words, they studied how foetuses wiggle and grow in utero.
So what does a super active baby in the womb really mean? What they found about your baby moving a lot in the womb is truly amazing:
- At 20 to 30 weeks, kicks get stronger. According to MRI scans of foetal kicks, they noted that these movements strengthened at 20 to 30 weeks.
- Stress on a baby’s joints depends on how strong they kick. They also managed to measure the strength of the kicks as well as how much stress or strain they put on an unborn baby’s bones and joints.
- Kicks lessen at around 35 weeks in utero. Researchers found that kicks decreased by 35 weeks of pregnancy. Why? Because there isn’t enough room to wiggle or kick around in the womb.
- But pressure continues to increase and so does growth. However, pressure on the baby’s leg bones and joints continues to increase. This helps the foetus grow!
- Movement helps babies grow in utero. This study emphasises the importance of how the right movements influence foetal growth. This is likely why preemies sometimes have bone or joint disorders.
How a baby moves before birth can affect their health when they grow up. More research is needed to get a clearer picture of the relationship between foetal movements and bone health later in life, such as osteoarthritis.
Can You Stimulate Your Baby’s Kicks In The Womb?
Now that you know that a very active baby in the womb means a good thing, what should you do if your little one is a bit lazy? No problem! Mums-to-be can encourage their baby to wiggle around or even kick in the womb.
Here’s what you can try:
1. Lie Down
You can lie down on your left side. Concentrate on feeling your baby’s movements for about two hours. You should feel your baby move AT LEAST 10 times. If not, consult your doctor immediately.
2. Eat or drink
Drink a glass of orange juice or milk to wake your baby up. The same goes for snacking. This stimulates your baby’s metabolism and increases baby movement in the womb.
3. Listen to music
In the same way that you can lull a baby to sleep with music, you can also rouse them and get them moving through your choice of sounds. The song doesn’t have to be too upbeat or loud, just enough to stimulate their sense of hearing and, perhaps, their love for dancing.
4. Take a deep breath
Relax, mums! Like we said, foetal movements differ with each mum (and each pregnancy). So don’t pressure yourself to feel it exactly the same way as other mums. But don’t hesitate to tell your doctor about any worries you may have.
An active baby in womb is a good thing
Monitoring Baby Movement In Womb: When Is It Bad?
With the information shared, you now know what to say when someone asks, “What does a super active baby in the womb mean?” But there may still be other concerns on your mind. How much baby movement in womb is too much?
It is normal for foetal movements to increase when the mother is experiencing hunger. When the mother is hungry, this may result in lower blood sugar levels for both the mum and her baby.
In addition, smaller babies may possibly move more when they are hungry in your womb because this means they are no longer receiving enough food via your placenta, compared to bigger babies who have a good supply.
However, there is a serious occurrence you should watch out for–a sudden episode of vigorous movements from your baby when you’re at the end of your pregnancy.
When your baby is moving a lot in the womb more than usual, and you can describe the movements as “frenzied,” “frantic,” or “crazy,” it may be a cause for concern. This is because it is in contrast to the normal rise in strong and recurrent foetal movements when you are nearing your term.
A study has linked this single sudden episode of vigorous foetal movements to multiple risks of stillbirth. The possible causes listed include infections that lead to seizures, the baby trying to free himself from the umbilical cord entangled in a certain part of the body, or lack of oxygen supply.
When you feel that the movements of your very active baby in the womb are no longer normal, it is best to seek medical attention.
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Placental Abruption: Causes, Symptoms and Its Effect On Your Baby If Untreated
Should You Worry About Your Less Active Baby In Womb?
We already know the answer to “what does a super active baby in the womb mean,” and when to call the doctor about it. Now let’s take a look at when you should be concerned when they’re not.
Once babies hit the 15-week mark in utero, they start to move their bodies as well as their limbs. Most mummies don’t really feel baby movement in womb at this stage. But around 16 to 25 weeks along, you can start to feel the wonderful flutters of your growing baby in your belly.
Feeling a baby moving a lot in womb, with their tiny kicks and punches, can offer reassurance that your little one is active and healthy. So naturally, when your baby doesn’t move around as much, it can cause anxiety.
The good news is that the number of foetal movements varies with each mum. They also differ in sensation — kicks, flutters, or rolls — throughout a woman’s pregnancy.
Here are some important things to take note of when tracking your baby’s kicks in the womb, mums:
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- You should consult your doctor when foetal movements have significantly reduced.
- Remember: Babies in utero sleep too, but usually not more than 90 minutes.
- Foetal movements usually increase after 32 weeks and assume a steady pattern.
- Baby kicks should be felt until a mum goes into labour.
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We’ve answered the question “What does a super active baby in the womb mean?”
But pregnant mums also need to keep this in mind.
If you have any worries, let your doctor know immediately. Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it can also be a time of worry. It’s always best to be safe, mummies! Don’t hesitate to open up to your doctor even about the simplest of concerns.
Image Source: iStock
Updates by Romy Peña Cruz
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