Does the movement of the male fetus make him shake it?
There is no confirmed information indicating that the movement of the fetus inside the womb indicates its gender, whether male or female.
Although there are common beliefs that a fetus that moves less is considered female, and that feeling movement early means it is male, these beliefs are unfounded. There are several factors that affect fetal movement and the mother’s ability to feel it, such as the mother’s weight, her activity level, the time of her last meal, and her position, whether she is sitting or standing.
A study published in 2001 noted that males tend to move more than females in the womb, especially at 20, 34, and 37 weeks of pregnancy, with males showing greater leg movement.
However, the number of cases studied was limited, as the study included only 37 children, which made it difficult for the researchers to declare a definitive link between the sex of the fetus and its movement pattern in the womb.
Factors affecting fetal movement
The movement of the fetus inside the mother's womb is affected by several different factors that are not related to the sex of the fetus. These factors include the mother's weight during pregnancy, her level of daily activity, and the extent of her attention or distraction.
The way the mother sits or stands, the time of her last meal, and the location of the placenta inside the uterus also affect fetal movement.
Experts note that if the placenta is in the front of the uterus, the mother's ability to sense fetal movements may be reduced, because this placenta acts as a barrier that reduces the fetal movements from reaching the abdominal wall.
On the other hand, there are other factors that may significantly enhance fetal movement:
1. The mother’s consumption of stimulants such as caffeinated drinks like coffee and tea can make the fetus more energetic.
2. During the mother's rest or sleep periods, it is often noted that the child becomes more active.
3. After the mother eats a meal or drinks a cold drink, the fetus's movement rate appears to increase most of the time.
It is important for mothers to know this information to better understand their pregnancy experience and deal with their fetus's movements with awareness and knowledge.
Differences between male and female fetal movement
Fetal movements inside the mother's womb indicate several aspects of the fetus's growth and development. These movements may appear at different times during pregnancy, and depend on various factors.
It is noted that the male fetus tends to start moving noticeably inside the uterus around the fourth month of pregnancy, while the female fetus may start moving clearly in the fifth month. Also, the movements of the male fetus are often more violent and stronger, while the movements of the female fetus are more precise and frequent.
It is worth noting that the location of the fetus's movements may differ; the male fetus tends to move more in the upper part of the abdomen, while the movement of the female fetus is more concentrated in the lower part.
In terms of movement pattern, the female's movement appears to be continuous and rapid, unlike the male, which may move intermittently, with periods of calm followed by strong movements such as kicking with the foot or elbow.
However, it is worth emphasizing that these observations are only general conclusions and cannot be relied upon conclusively to determine the sex of the fetus.
The most accurate way to know the sex of the baby remains through an ultrasound examination, which is usually performed in the fourteenth week of pregnancy to provide an accurate result.
When fetal movement start? When does the mother feel fetal movement?
Mothers feel their babies move at different times during pregnancy due to several factors such as the fetus's activity, the mother's body characteristics, and the number of previous pregnancies.
While fetal movements begin between the eighth and twelfth week, mothers may not notice these movements until the pregnancy reaches between the sixteenth and twenty-fifth week, which means from the end of the third month until approximately the middle of the fifth month.
The experience is different for women in their first pregnancy, as pregnancy can go until the 25th week without any noticeable feeling of fetal movement. While in the second or subsequent pregnancy, mothers may be able to feel their baby’s movement earlier, starting from the 13th week.
In the early stages of pregnancy, the mother may notice movement on some days and not feel it on others. However, as the baby's movements become stronger and the pregnancy continues, the mother should feel movement regularly every day.
How to count fetal movement in the last trimester of pregnancy
To ensure your baby's health and development in the final stages of pregnancy, i.e. after the 28th week, it is advisable to monitor and count the baby's activities inside the womb. These activities may appear in the form of kicks, circular movements, or even light pushes.
It is noted that the fetus's activity increases in several cases, including after the mother eats foods rich in calories or sugars, as well as after drinking cold drinks. Usually, the fetus is most active in the period extending from nine in the evening until one in the morning, and this is due to changes in the mother's blood sugar levels.
During these times, the mother can adopt certain positions to easily feel the movement of her fetus, such as lying on the left side or sitting comfortably and placing her hands on the abdomen.
It is normal for a mother to feel about ten fetal movements every two hours. To make counting easier, a chart can be used to record the number of movements and the timing of each movement from the first to the tenth to track the duration of these movements.
If the mother does not feel ten movements within two hours, it is recommended that she wait until the time when the fetus is usually most active and then try counting again. If she does not feel movement repeatedly, there is no need to worry immediately; she may be unaware of the movement or in this case it is preferable to consult the doctor following up on the case to ensure the safety of the fetus.
