Is frequent fetal movement at 28 weeks of pregnancy normal?
Mar 28, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lv Aiming
Introduction
At 28 weeks of pregnancy, fetal movement is often active. It is normal for pregnant women to experience frequent fetal movements due to excitement, heavy physical labor, or external noise affecting the fetus. The normal frequency of fetal movement at 28 weeks is about 3 to 5 times per hour. Excessively frequent fetal movements should be evaluated promptly at a hospital via fetal heart rate monitoring, as this may indicate abnormal conditions such as fetal ischemia, hypoxia, or nuchal cord (umbilical cord around the neck).
Generally speaking, whether frequent fetal movement at 28 weeks of pregnancy is normal depends on the specific condition of the fetus in the uterus. The detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Normal
At 28 weeks of pregnancy, fetal movement becomes more active, and it is common to experience frequent fetal movements. Additionally, if the pregnant woman is emotionally excited, engages in heavy physical labor, or if the fetus is affected by external noise, these factors may also lead to increased fetal movement, which is considered normal.
2. Abnormal
The typical frequency of fetal movement at 28 weeks is about 3–5 movements per hour. If the frequency is significantly higher than this range, it is important to visit a hospital promptly for monitoring such as fetal heart rate surveillance. Excessively frequent movements may indicate abnormal conditions such as fetal hypoxia (lack of oxygen), poor blood supply in utero, or umbilical cord entanglement.
It is recommended that pregnant women follow medical advice, attend regular prenatal checkups, and consistently monitor daily fetal movements to ensure fetal well-being.
