Pregnancy begins after a sperm cell successfully fertilizes an egg and the fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine wall. From that point on, the egg, now called a zygote, will continue to grow and develop in the uterus for about 38-40 weeks. Throughout this period, you are encouraged to look after your overall health so the fetus can stay healthy until the time of birth.

To find out whether your fetus is developing well, pay attention to the following signs:

Fetal Movement

Between 16 and 24 weeks of pregnancy, most women start to notice fetal movement for the first time. At this stage, the fetus is already able to hear, so you can begin talking to the baby, reading stories aloud, or playing music. By the time you reach 28 weeks, the fetus begins reacting to light, and roughly four weeks later, it usually becomes more active, so you will feel kicks and movements more often.

As the pregnancy progresses, the timing and pattern of normal fetal movement become easier to recognize, and the baby’s activity will gradually follow your circadian rhythm. In general, the fetus spends about 20-40 minutes sleeping and then remains awake for 90 minutes.

If you still have not felt any fetal movement by 24 weeks of pregnancy, you should see a midwife or doctor for further evaluation.

Fetal Growth and Development

In each trimester, fetal growth and development will keep progressing. During antenatal visits, the doctor can monitor fetal growth by assessing the size and development. In the first month, the fetus is only about the size of a kidney bean, but by 16 weeks, its length can reach around 15 cm. Fetal weight also increases gradually, with the most rapid weight gain usually taking place in the third trimester.

As you approach labor, the fetus typically reaches a length of about 45-50 cm and weighs roughly 3.1 kg. Fetal weight can vary from one baby to another, but in general, babies with a birth weight between 2.5 and 4 kg are considered to have a healthy and normal weight.

Fetal Heart Rate

Monitoring the fetal heart rate allows doctors to get an overview of the fetus condition. A normal fetal heart rate usually is around 110-160 beats per minute. This rate can change as the fetus responds to different conditions and stimuli inside the uterus.

Fetal heart rate monitoring is especially important in pregnancies with certain risks, such as gestational diabetes or high blood pressure.

Fetal Position in the Last Trimester

Toward the end of pregnancy, the ideal fetal position for birth is the anterior position. In this position, the baby faces the mother’s back and the head points downward. Most fetuses naturally settle into this position during the final month of pregnancy. The anterior position, also called the vertex cephalic or occiput anterior position, helps lower the chance of complications during labor.

Weight Gain

The mother’s weight gain during pregnancy has a strong influence on fetal health. If weight gain is below the recommended range, it may indicate that the mother is not getting enough calories or is restricting food intake. When the calorie needs of pregnant women are not met, the fetus may not receive sufficient nutrients, which can interfere with fetal growth and development.

• In the first trimester, daily energy needs are about 1,800 calories.
• In the second trimester, this increases to around 2,200 calories per day.
• In the third trimester, the requirement rises again to about 2,400 calories per day.

To support healthy weight gain, pregnant women are encouraged to remain active and do suitable exercise, of course under a doctor’s guidance.

You can monitor the condition and fetal growth week by week by attending routine checkups with your obstetrician or midwife. An ultrasound test can also be performed to help assess the baby’s size and condition in the womb. Normal fetal movement together with a normal fetal heart rate are reassuring signs that the fetus is growing well.

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