What Are the Most Common Causes of Decreased Fetal Movement?
When an expectant mother perceives decreased fetal movement, it can be a very frightening experience. Depending on the stage of pregnancy, sometimes the baby actually is active, but the movements are harder for the woman to detect. Other times, the fetus is simply sleeping, or is temporarily less energetic. There are occasions, however, that decreased fetal movement is a symptom of an emergency situation, such as a premature rupture of the membranes, placental abruption, or fetal hypoxia. Many times, the mother’s emotional state can momentarily affect the motion of her baby. Under periods of intense stress, the fetus may react with diminished activity. Other outside influences may also result in decreased fetal movement, such as a mother’s nutritional intake or certain prescription medications. Usually, the symptom is temporary, and if a pregnant woman eats, drinks some water and lies down, the baby will often respond by kicking.
