Fetal Movement in Late Pregnancy: What to Expect

Question
My sister is 34 yrs old and at 38 weeks of gestation.  Her baby has been very active during this entire pregnancy.  The baby has dropped just two days ago and she has a doctor's apptmt Monday morning.  It is Sunday morning in Japan where she lives.  This is her third pregnancy.  She is concerned about the lack of movement from the baby.  Is this lack of movement normal or should she be concerned?

Answer
It is normal, as a woman approaches the last weeks of pregnancy, for the baby not to move as much as it did throughout the pregnancy. The baby is growing and there is less room to move around. There should be some movement every day (rolling, hiccuping, kicking, etc) but it is not dangerous for it to have less fetal movement. Of course, if she feels NO fetal movement for an entire day, she should call her doctor and get a non stress test to assess the fetus. Don't worry.