Baby Movement During the 9th Month of Pregnancy

You’re bound to worry during pregnancy, as you are responsible for the well-being of two people, one of whom relies entirely on your body for nourishment. When you are pregnant in your third trimester, it is normal to be anxious about your baby and its movements within the womb. To put this anxiety to ease, it is important to understand what kind of baby movement in the 9th month of pregnancy is normal. In this article, we will talk about how the baby moves in the ninth month, how to count your baby’s movements and some things you should keep in mind during this time.

How Does a Baby Move During the Ninth Month of Pregnancy?

It is common to expect your baby to move all the time in the womb, especially during the ninth month of pregnancy. It is also common for most parents to panic if there are fewer baby movements in the ninth month. One important thing to remember is that the mother’s health is crucial to a successful pregnancy. Hence, it is essential to put the anxiety of irregular baby movements to rest.

During the ninth month of pregnancy, a healthy baby should kick approximately ten times every two hours. This is also the month of delivery, so most mothers will notice a spike in baby activity. However, some may just be more subdued without any illness or danger. As long as the kick count stays at ten or above every two hours, there is no need to panic. If your baby is not moving enough, consult your doctor so he can do an ultrasound and check your baby’s health.

What Is Considered as Normal Baby Movement in the Ninth Month?

Baby movement in the ninth month is normal, even during labour. Normal movements for babies during this period can be hard to define, as they have grown enough to force a stretch or flip upside down in your womb, each baby has a unique trend of movement, and thus, there is no strict movement pattern.

If you notice a drastic decline in the movement in comparison to the way your baby normally moves or notice a sharp abdominal pain that seems abnormal, it could indicate something is wrong. It is best to spend a few hours a day noticing the movement trends of your baby. This way, you can identify when the movement feels different. If it does, visit a doctor immediately.

When and How to Count the Baby’s Movements?

It can be a stressing thing to keep count of your baby’s kicks all the time. Here’s how you can count your baby’s movement trends.

• Keep a handful of coins with you. Every time your baby kicks, move one coin to the other hand or pocket. If the kick count tallies to all the coins within two hours, your baby is possibly safe.
• Checking your baby’s kick count isn’t the only way to count your baby’s movements. On a piece of paper, keep a record of the time between each fetal movement. If the movement count at the end of the day averages to ten every two hours, it is a healthy sign.
• Make a chart with hours in the day, and mark every movement, be it a kick, punch, or any other movement. Next to it, make an indicator of movement strength by ranking it between one to ten. If the movements are consistently below four, seek medical advice.
• Notice the time your baby moves. Babies usually have patterns like most adults. They should move after meals, before meals, when you’re in the toilet, after a nap, and when you walk or exercise. Ensure you make a note of these patterns in a notebook. If the movements are far from normal, talk to your doctor.

Things to Keep in Mind

The most important facts to keep in mind regarding your ninth month of pregnancy are that your baby’s movements will be more restricted than normal, as he has grown too big to manoeuvre around your womb. Weak movements could be a sign of danger. The baby must show some sign of stable movement, usually at least ten counts of movement every 120 minutes. If movement is followed by vaginal bleeding, heavy abdominal cramps, irregular movements or a slowdown of movements, seek medical attention immediately.

FAQs

1. Do Baby Movements Slow Down in Late Pregnancy?

Every baby has unique movement patterns. Some move a lot more than others. As long as your baby moves more than ten times every two hours, there shouldn’t be any reason to worry. If your baby’s movements are significantly less than previous months, but still above ten movements every 120 minutes, please seek medical advice.

2. Does Baby Movement Mean Labour Is Near?

It’s fair to wonder that nine-month pregnancy baby movements mean labour is near. But the truth is, you probably won’t notice your baby moving more than usual because they’re getting comfy in your pelvis, and they simply don’t have as much space to move as they did a few weeks ago.

3. Does a Lot of Movement Mean a Healthy Baby?

Yes, baby movements do mean a healthy baby. But remember that about ten foetal movements per hour are considered normal. Consult your doctor if required.

When it comes to the final stretch of your pregnancy, it is better to be safe with your baby’s health. If you feel something is abnormal, please seek help from your doctor. Stick to your check-ups and keep a delivery bag ready, so you can make it to the hospital as soon as possible. This is a period where the mother’s health is at risk as well, so ensure you look after yourself by following all the instructions of your doctor.

References/Resources:

1. Kick Counts; my.clevelandclinic.org; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23497-kick-counts

2. Your Baby’s Development: The Third Trimester; familydoctor.org; https://familydoctor.org/your-babys-development-the-third-trimester/

3. What happens in the ninth month of pregnancy?; plannedparenthood.org; https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/pregnancy/pregnancy-month-by-month/what-happens-ninth-month-pregnancy

4. 3rd trimester pregnancy: What to expect; mayoclinic.org; https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy/art-20046767

5. Changes During Pregnancy; acog.org; https://www.acog.org/womens-health/infographics/changes-during-pregnancy

6. Baby movements in pregnancy; tommys.org; https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/pregnancy-symptom-checker/baby-fetal-movements

Also Read: 9th Month Pregnancy Exercise for Normal Delivery