Early observations date back nearly two centuries, based on studies of aborted fetuses.
In 1837, Erbkam described fetal movements observed after spontaneous miscarriages.
In the 1930s, Davenport Hooker extensively studied fetal activities using filmed observations of fetuses from surgical abortions.
Hooker proposed in 1952 that fetal movements were spontaneous reflexes triggered by unknown stimuli.
Recent Advances in Understanding Fetal Movement
Improved survival rates for preterm infants have expanded understanding of fetal motor patterns.
Advanced imaging technologies (ultrasound and MRI) enable detailed characterisation of spontaneous and reflex movements, behavioural patterns, and state changes.
Fetal motor activity develops progressively into complex repertoires of movements dependent on gestational age and available intrauterine space.
More pronounced movements occur in younger fetuses and conditions of polyhydramnios.
Developmental Stages of Fetal Movements
7 weeks post-conception: Initial movements are slow, lateral bending motions associated with rapid cervical spinal synapse formation.
8–12 weeks: Early breathing movements appear, driven by diaphragm movement via the cervical phrenic nerve.
8–10 weeks: Whole-body movements emerge, including trunk and limb actions, either as rapid startle responses or slower, coordinated general movements.
14–20 weeks: Manual exploration of face and thumb sucking common, declining thereafter.
Late second to early third trimester: General movements peak in complexity and variability, decreasing towards term and replaced by purposeful movements postnatally by 20 weeks.
