The pregnancy journey for mamas is a long and challenging one. Those nine months may be filled with sacrifices but it’s accompanied by memories made too. Such as during the second trimester or around week 16 to 20, mamas will never forget the first movements of their bean. This is the phase where the little one starts kicking and even punching. Their movements might still be a bit unpredictable but mamas will surely remember those first few feelings.
What to expect
We are now aware that fetal movements start to be felt during the second trimester of pregnancy. But the exact moment still differs between mamas. Some may feel it as early as the start of the trimester at the 16th week. This is usually common for mamas who have been pregnant before. First time mamas tend to feel those bean movements a bit later, oftentimes at the 20th week mark.
As those first few kicks are felt, movements in the upcoming weeks will be more frequent and even more intense. The bean is growing so its movements are getting larger too! And as these kicks, punches, squirms, and pokes get more consistent, mamas can start keeping track.
Kick count or fetal movement count (FMC) can be done during the latter part of the second trimester to keep tabs of the movements of the bean. Mamas select a time during the day and count the number of kicks or movements within the timeframe. It’s usually recommended to count 10 kicks felt within an hour or two and as the target is met, the count can now be stopped. It is also best to practice monitoring the bean’s movements at the same time every day for consistency.
Decreased movements? Here are some causes
Not all decreased movements are serious because benign or harmless causes may also occur. So it’s also best to be aware of these instances and limit overthinking for mamas.
- There may be times the bean is napping during the time you chose to do the kick count. Try doing the count at a later time.
- The growth of the bean may have slowed down.
- A possible problem with the placenta or uterus.
- Nuchal cord or when the umbilical cord gets wrapped around the bean’s neck.
These instances are said to be harmless but it would still be best to consult doctors for evaluation and recommendations. They can run some simple tests to get information about the movement counts and heart rate of the bean. A three-dimensional ultrasound can also be performed for them to see the bean’s growth and development along with their movements. But if the kick count has always been consistent and suddenly drops off one day, immediate consultation with the doctor is needed.
Increasing movements at home
There are also some simple remedies at home to increase the movements. Some mamas get nervous when the kick count slows down so here are some easy things to try:
- Eat a snack or drink something sweet like orange juice.
- Get up and move around.
- Shine a flashlight onto your belly.
- Talk to your baby.
- Push or poke (gently!) at your belly where you can feel your baby.
Every mama and bean are different so the frequency of movements may be unique too. The important thing is to pay attention to the movements of the bean. Doing the kick count is a great way to monitor the bean and try the strategies for increasing movements just to avoid those worries. If no improvements are seen from decreased movements, going to the doctor is the best option to get professional advice. Starting the second trimester with this feeling may come with nerves but it’s surely a great feeling to notice those little kicks.
TAGS:second-trimester
