What Causes Reduced Fetal Movements During 32nd Week Of Pregnancy?

Posted on Wed, 22 Nov 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 22 Nov 2017 Answered on

Mon, 16 Apr 2018 Last reviewed on

Question : My wife is 32 weeks pregnant. For the last two days, she has felt a reduction in the frequency as well as intensity of the baby's movements. Earlier, the movement was quite marked and, mostly, happened around the same time every day. For a couple of days now, it is not so. We want to know if it is a cause of worry.

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
As below

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
Sometimes, as the pregnancy advances, particularly after 32 weeks, the baby weight starts significantly increasing, and the baby occupies much more space inside the uterus, leaving less space for movements.
The amount of fluid around the baby also comparatively lessens, making movements less pronounced.
If the placenta is anterior, that masks fetal movements too.
Make sure the mother is stress free, and takes enough liquid intake and food and nutrition.
Please get an ultrasound scan done with fetal Doppler that shows fetal well being and blood supply to the baby.
If that is normal do not worry.
Lie down on your left side for one hour each after breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Total movements ofthe these three hours should be at least ten.
All the best
Please feel free to discuss further

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad