Pregnant mothers are required to undergo various prenatal examinations after pregnancy, and the corresponding examination items vary depending on the gestational week. Especially in the middle and late stages of pregnancy, no matter what examination is done, doctors will remind pregnant mothers to pay attention to counting the number of fetal movements and monitoring fetal heart rate in case of abnormalities. So, what is the difference between fetal movement and fetal heart rate monitoring?
Fetal movement, literally understood, refers to the number of movements of the fetus in the belly. It is recommended that expectant mothers set aside one hour each in the morning, middle, and evening to count fetal movement. If abnormal fetal movement is found, further examination at the hospital is necessary. Fetal movement and fetal heart monitoring are two completely different situations. Fetal heart monitoring is the use of ultrasound by doctors to monitor the condition of the fetus in the mother's womb, in order to evaluate the condition of the fetus in the uterus. Normal fetal movement does not necessarily indicate normal fetal heart monitoring.
If there are no special circumstances, fetal heart rate monitoring is generally not necessary. Pregnant women can count fetal movements at home without leaving, but monitoring fetal heart rate requires the use of a fetal heart rate monitor. After four months of pregnancy, expectant mothers can basically feel fetal movement, but at this time, due to incomplete fetal development, the number of fetal movements will be relatively small, and the interval between fetal movements will be relatively long. These are all normal phenomena.
As the due date approaches, the fetus grows and completes its development. At this point, the fetus almost occupies the entire uterus of the pregnant mother, causing the range of motion of the fetus to be compressed and the hands and feet to be completely unable to move. In addition, in order to come out of the mother's womb faster, the head of the fetus will slowly descend. Therefore, during this period, the number of fetal movements will significantly decrease, and pregnant mothers need not worry.
