Does the Baby Have Enough Room in My Bellu
The womb is a dynamic structure, with the ability to stretch to more 5x its ain size during the afterwards stages of pregnancy(1). Prior to conception, the average womb size tin can be likened to that of a pear. However, throughout pregnancy, the womb gradually stretches and grows in size in order to adapt the growing fetus.
This occurs due to the many physiological changes that happen during pregnancy, including weight proceeds, hormonal changes and increased blood book(1). Anatomically, the female torso is perfectly curated to accommodate the growth of a fetus, right the way through to 40+ weeks of pregnancy.
GROWTH OF THE WOMB
During your pregnancy, your midwife/other healthcare professionals involved in your care will monitor the growth of your womb and baby at regular intervals. This ordinarily would occur during your dating browse (between 8-xiv weeks gestation), 20-calendar week scan (between 18-xx weeks gestation) and and so again in roughly iii-4 week intervals depending on the nature of your pregnancy(2).
As well equally measuring the womb and baby via ultrasound, healthcare professionals are able to estimate the approximate size of your womb externally by measuring what's known every bit the 'symphysis-fundal height'.
This is washed by taking a tape measure out and measuring from the upper margin of your central pelvic bone (pubic symphysis) to the highest bespeak of your womb, known every bit the fundus(three).
Roughly from 20 weeks of pregnancy, the pinnacle of your womb is expected to attain your omphalos. From 24 weeks of pregnancy onwards, information technology is expected that normal growth would notice your symphysis-fundal height in centimetres would match the number of weeks pregnant you are, ± 2cm(iv). Accuracy of these measurements may vary if for instance yous have a high BMI, more than than 1 babe on board, or if you have a history of fibroids.
Fig. i. Typical fundal heights at diverse stages of pregnancy.(iii)
These measurements volition usually exist plotted onto a chart which should exist personalised for your own ethnicity, height, weight, and weights of previous babies. This tin assistance identify if your baby is growing bigger or smaller than expected. If in that location is whatever concern, an ultrasound will exist arranged to take a closer wait at the baby and the measurements.
CHANGES IN AMNIOTIC FLUID
During this menstruation of growth, the baby isn't the merely thing getting bigger! There volition also exist growth of the placenta, too as an increase in the corporeality of amniotic fluid produced. The amniotic fluid is there to cushion your babe, let your baby to motility around, prevent any pressure on the umbilical cord, in improver to many other purposes.
Generally, the book of amniotic fluid produced in your womb gradually increases throughout pregnancy. The volume of fluid is approximately 10-20ml at 10 weeks, 250ml at 16 weeks, 800ml at 33 weeks, before reaching a height of approximately 1000ml effectually 38 weeks of pregnancy. Afterwards this betoken, the volume of amniotic fluid begins to subtract back to roughly 800ml(five).
So what exactly is happening? Does this mean that the baby volition begin to run out of infinite?
FETAL MOVEMENTS
Most people tend to feel their baby move between xvi-24 weeks of pregnancy, with the commencement fluttering sensations being referred to as 'quickening'. Every bit the babe grows in size, movements and kicks go more pronounced, with a general increase in the number of movements up to roughly 32 weeks of pregnancy(6).
From this point on, information technology is possible that as the baby nears its largest size, the type of movements felt may differ from their norm. However, this is non to say that in that location will be a marked decrease in movements felt – you lot should continue to experience your baby's movements up to and during your labour.
There isn't a specific number of movements that should be felt as this varies from baby to baby. In addition to this, the fourth dimension of the day can also touch how much your baby is moving, equally they may be sleeping (yes, they do nap fifty-fifty when they are still in the womb! Their sleep usually lasts less than 90 minutes)(six).
So with this knowledge, what should you do if you experience your baby'southward movements are noticeably reduced?
Less than 24 weeks pregnant? If you have never felt your baby move by 24 weeks, contact your midwife/maternity unit of measurement so that they tin can heed for your baby's heartbeat and/or adapt an ultrasound browse.
Between 24-28 weeks pregnant? Ensure to do the same as in a higher place, where you can expect a total check upwards including blood pressure and urine tests.
Over 28 weeks pregnant? Contact your midwife/maternity unit immediately, without delay. This would allow for your infant'southward center charge per unit to be monitored for 20 minutes or more, giving you some reassurance about their wellbeing. At this point the healthcare team will either send you lot home, or discuss whatsoever next possible options with you lot.
If at any signal later y'all return home you notice a reduction in your babe's movements again, exercise not hesitate to contact the maternity squad again. You can come dorsum every bit often as you need to!
SO, DO BABIES RUN OUT OF Space IN THE WOMB?
No – this is very much an one-time wives tale!
Whilst the in utero surround does become more snug during the third trimester compared to the before trimesters, the stretchy characteristics of the womb coupled with an adequate amniotic fluid volume allows for babies to nonetheless take space to move effectually, admitting not as pronounced.
If your baby'south movements are reduced, don't assume it's because the baby hasn't got enough room!
Every babe has its ain 'normal' regarding frequencies of movement. However, if you always feel as though your baby is moving significantly less than what's normal for them, practice not hesitate to contact your midwife or motherhood unit immediately.
REFERENCES
1. Physiological Changes in Pregnancy. Physiopedia. 2021. Bachelor from: https://www.physio-pedia.com/Physiological_Changes_in_Pregnancy
2. Your antenatal appointments. NHS.u.k.. 2019. Available from: https://world wide web.nhs.uk/pregnancy/your-pregnancy-care/your-antenatal-appointments/
3. Collins Southward, Arulkumaran S, Hayes K, Jackson South, Impey L. Normal pregnancy. Oxford Handbook of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2013;:ane-48.
4. Butler Tobah Y. Fundal acme: An accurate sign of fetal growth?. Mayo Clinic. 2020. Bachelor from: https://world wide web.mayoclinic.org/salubrious-lifestyle/pregnancy-calendar week-by-week/expert-answers/fundal-height/faq-20057962
5. Jones J. Amniotic fluid book, Radiology Reference Article. Radiopaedia.org. Radiopaedia.org. 2021. Available from: https://radiopaedia.org/articles/amniotic-fluid-volume-i?lang=gb
half-dozen. Your baby's movements in pregnancy. Rcog.org.united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland. 2019. Available from: https://www.rcog.org.britain/globalassets/documents/patients/patient-data-leaflets/pregnancy/pi-your-babys-movements-in-pregnancy.pdf
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Source: https://theobgynmum.com/do-babies-run-out-of-room-during-pregnancy/
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