Understanding Fetal Movement & Spasms in Pregnancy - Expert Advice

Question
Hi Brenda, You helped me a couple of weeks ago and I have a few more questions for you. Thanks in advance! I am 33w4d pregnant with my second child.

1. I notice sometimes that the baby has very hyperactive, spastic movement-kicking, punching, rolling, etc...and other times is quite quiet. I am pretty small in the belly so I can see eveyrthing she does very well. I have read sometimes that spastic movement can be a sign of cord problems. How would you know when the hyperactive movement is a problem?

2. I notice sometimes that the baby's back seems to be pulsating-so hard to describe it-I can see it but not feel it. Like her back is moving up and down quickly but I can't feel it-almost like gentle bouncing. Any clue on what this is? Breathing movements? Could she be short on oxygen and quivering :(

3. Lastly, this baby gets the hiccups 3-5 times a day lasting 5-12 mins. and she has since 26 weeks. I read online (preginst site) that it can be a sign of cord compression altho my docs assure me it is not and that it is healthy to hiccup. Any insight?

I am obviously terrified of cord issues and stillbirth :( I have had a rough pregnancy complicated with incompetent cervix and a rescue cerclage at 18 weeks and terrified something will go wrong as we finish this journey. I am getting nst's twice a week until my cerclage is removed at 37 weeks.  Thanks Brenda.

Answer
Dear Carrie,

Thanks for returning! Glad I could help...

First (and I'm going backwards here) - healthy babies hiccup. Just think about it for a second... we hiccup - all of us do as a normal occurrence. So, if a fetus does NOT hiccup, it is more of a signal that something is wrong than if she does. Please don't worry about this.

The pulsating could be anything - even hiccups but when the baby is in a different position so you don't really feel them the same, but may be able to see the abdominal movement. If there was an issue with oxygenation, they would be picking it up on the NSTs.

In my research, I actually found the opposite - that there is no proof that excessively long cords of individual newborns correlate with fetal hyperactivity. And there really would be no way to know way to determine if that were the cause right now even if it were a factor, except possibly by noting an issue on ultrasound. The seventh month of pregnancy is often the most active month for the baby. It is not uncommon for activity to slow down slightly in these last two months, mostly due to the space in the womb becoming more and more cramped.  :-)

I realize you've had a few issues which have made you leery, but try to relax and enjoy these last weeks of your pregnancy. It really is a wondrous time.

I hope this information has helped you and answered your questions. I wish you well.

Brenda