Fetal Movement & Down Syndrome: Understanding Excessive Activity

Question
43 yrs old, no children, Aug 29 LMP
I feel almost constant strong fetal movement, 24 hours a day and felt movement earlier in the pregnancy than would have been expected. I have had 4 ultrasounds and each time the technician/physician remarks about the activity of the fetus and how they have never seen one so active. We have just found out that the child has Down Syndrome. Does the activity of this fetus have any implications on the health/well being of this child? I was a bit concerned prior to the trisomy diagnosis but now I am almost frantic in anything falling outside the norm. The echo cardiogram did not indicate a major defect but cannot rule out a VSD.

Answer
As long as the echocardiogram was within normal limits, the fetal activity should not be a problem. If the FH is between 120-160BBM, it is within normal limits. There is no way to predict if the baby will have any congenital defects due to the Trisomy 21, but I would rather have increased fetal movement than decreasedfetal movement. Discuss it with your obstetrician. As long as there is adequate fetal growth and the FH remains constant, there is nothing further to do.