Expectations, happiness, and perhaps some concerns are all part of the pregnancy experience. Parents often ask themselves, "Is my baby safe and healthy inside the womb?" The good news is that there are numerous signs, tests, and simple methods to find out how your unborn baby is doing.
In this article, we'll cover the physical symptoms of a healthy baby in pregnancy and how to recognise warning signs that may indicate potential health issues in the fetus.
The majority of physical changes that occur during pregnancy are perfectly natural, as they enable your body to get ready for the birth of your baby. In most cases, symptoms like body aches, nausea, and exhaustion are normal and not a reason for alarm. However, warning signs like heavy bleeding, sudden swelling, severe pain, or a noticeable decrease in baby movements should never be ignored. Though every pregnancy is different, it's still best to trust your instincts. If something feels unusual or worrying, it's always best to check with your doctor.
To assess the overall health of the unborn child, expectant mothers undergo regular tests during their prenatal checkups and also have to watch out for several signs of an unhealthy baby in the womb. Let's take a closer look at the methods currently being used to assess fetal health.
A crucial part of the pregnancy process is routine prenatal care. These examinations enable medical professionals to monitor the growth and development of the fetus in addition to the mother's health.
During prenatal visits, the doctor will assess the following:
At every appointment, your weight, urine, and blood pressure are checked. These tests can identify early warning signs of conditions like high blood pressure or gestational diabetes.
From around 16 weeks, your doctor may measure your fundal height, which is the distance between the top of your uterus and your pubic bone. This measurement helps verify consistent growth and frequently corresponds with your pregnancy week.
Ultrasound scans are vital tools, as the doctor uses them to monitor the growth and development of the fetus. A typical timeline for pregnancy scanning is given below:
Early scans (around 7–8 weeks) confirm the pregnancy and check the heartbeat.
An ultrasound scan at 12 weeks will screen for specific conditions, like Down syndrome, and aid in evaluating early development.
At 18–20 weeks, a detailed anatomy scan checks the baby's organs, limbs and overall growth.
During some pregnancies, doctors may perform a later scan to check the symptoms of a healthy baby in the third trimester of pregnancy, such as the position and size of the baby etc.
Special tests for high-risk cases, such as Biophysical Profile, may also be performed if needed. The Biophysical Profile combines an ultrasound scan with heart rate monitoring, and it checks the movement, muscle tone, breathing, and fluid around the baby.
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Another way to assess the unborn baby's health is by monitoring its movement within the uterus, which is an exciting experience and usually happens between 17 and 20 weeks. Initially, only mild kicks are felt.
However, these movements tend to be stronger and more frequent as pregnancy progresses. By the third trimester, doctors will advise keeping a record of the baby's movements, or "kick counts." When your baby is typically active, you should feel at least ten movements in two hours. Although each baby has a unique rhythm, abrupt adjustments or a decrease in kicks shouldn't be disregarded. In fact, many moms have reported that observing fewer motions led to prompt medical attention.
As stated earlier, not all pregnancy symptoms are warning signs. In fact, some are actually good signs that your body is adapting well to the changes brought forth by the pregnancy:
Nausea, especially in early pregnancy, is linked to healthy hormone levels. It is a common issue that most pregnant women face.
Sore or fuller breasts are a sign that your body is preparing for breastfeeding.
A rise in estrogen leads to more vaginal discharge, which helps protect against infection.
Sometimes being pregnant can be quite exhausting. On the plus side, though, this shows how hard your body is working to support the developing baby.
Gradual weight gain within the range suggested by your doctor is a positive sign. Stable blood pressure also indicates your body is coping well.
Most pregnancy symptoms are normal, but you should always take certain warning signs seriously. If you notice any of the following 10 danger signs of pregnancy, contact your doctor or go to the hospital right away:
Sudden drop or absence of baby movements
Heavy vaginal bleeding
Continuous or sharp abdominal pain
Sudden gush or steady leakage of fluid from the vagina
Severe headaches, blurred vision, or dizziness
Swelling in the face, hands, or around the eyes
High fever or chills
Shortness of breath or chest pain
Pain, swelling, or redness in the legs
Persistent vomiting that prevents you from keeping fluids down
These symptoms do not necessarily point to a serious problem, but they could be signs of preterm labour, infection, or preeclampsia. Acting quickly helps keep you and your baby safe.
It is natural to worry during pregnancy, especially when your baby's health can't be seen directly. However, following the guidelines outlined in this article helps expectant moms and their caregivers to recognise the signs that indicate all is well with the baby.
