Yes, a baby can have seizures in the womb, but true fetal seizures are rare and always need prompt medical assessment.
Can A Baby Have Seizures In The Womb? What Doctors See On Scans
Hearing the words “possible fetal seizures” during pregnancy can feel overwhelming. The short answer to “Can a baby have seizures in the womb?” is yes, but this happens rarely. When it does, doctors usually find an underlying medical problem affecting the baby’s brain or overall health.
Specialists use the term “fetal seizures” for repetitive, rhythmic movements seen in the uterus that stay fixed in pattern over time. On ultrasound these episodes often involve the same limb or body part jerking in cycles, and they do not stop when the parent shifts position, which separates them from the usual mix of kicks, stretches, and hiccups.
Seizure Like Movements In The Womb And Normal Kicks
Many parents first raise the question “Can a baby have seizures in the womb?” because movements suddenly feel different. A baby who is hiccuping can cause short, regular jumps that last several minutes. Strong kicks can feel sharp and sudden. Rolling or stretching can give a sweeping or twisting feeling low in the belly. These patterns come and go and usually match your baby’s usual rhythm.
Possible seizure like activity tends to stand out in other ways. Reports describe fast, jerky movements that seem to buzz or shudder, sometimes many times in a row, with little pause. The pattern can appear more mechanical than the usual flowing motion of kicks and rolls. Only an ultrasound or similar test can sort this out with confidence, though, which is why any worrying change in movement calls for prompt review by a maternity professional.
| Movement Type | What You Might Feel | What Clinicians Watch For |
|---|---|---|
| Normal kicks | Firm thumps that come and go | Active baby with a steady daily pattern |
| Rolling or stretching | Slow turning or sliding low in the belly | Moves that change with your position |
| Hiccups | Regular, gentle jumps in one spot | Even rhythm that stops on its own |
| Startle reflex | Single sharp jolt after a sudden shock | Isolated events instead of long clusters |
| Decreased movements | Baby feels quieter than usual | Need for same day review of baby’s wellbeing |
| Sudden flurry of activity | Short spell of strong kicks or twists | Pattern over the rest of the day |
| Possible seizure like pattern | Fast, jerky shaking that repeats | Ultrasound check for repeated cycles of the same movement |
Baby Seizures In The Womb: How Rare Are They?
Based on published reports, baby seizures in the womb appear rare worldwide. Most information comes from individual case reports and small series where specialists reviewed ultrasound recordings and then followed the baby after birth. In many of those cases, the same abnormal rhythm seen inside the uterus matched seizure activity in the newborn period, which fits with the idea that fetal seizures can occur.
These episodes turn up rarely and usually alongside serious health issues such as brain malformations, infection, or poor blood flow. At the same time, many odd feelings in pregnancy still come from hiccups, strong kicks, or simple shifts in position. Any new or worrying pattern deserves a prompt, same day check.
Possible Causes Linked To Fetal Seizures
Brain Structure Conditions
Some case reports connect fetal seizures with structural brain changes. These can include malformations of the cortex, problems in the way the two sides of the brain connect, or fluid filled spaces that are larger than expected. When such findings appear on detailed ultrasound or fetal MRI alongside seizure like shaking, the team may suspect that the wiring of the brain is driving the abnormal movement.
Many of these brain differences trace back to early development. In some pregnancies, genes that guide brain growth follow a different pattern. In others, exposures or events early in pregnancy may have changed the way brain tissue formed. Often, a precise cause never becomes clear, even after birth.
Oxygen And Blood Flow Problems
Another group of causes relates to oxygen and blood supply. The growing brain needs a steady stream of oxygen rich blood. When that supply drops for a period, nerve cells can become irritable and prone to seizure activity. Conditions such as severe placental problems, cord compression, or large bleeding inside the skull have all been linked with fetal seizures in published reports.
Specialists caring for high risk pregnancies watch growth, blood flow through the cord, and the baby’s movement pattern for early warning signs. When scans raise concern, they may suggest closer monitoring on the maternity unit or, in some cases, early delivery if that offers a better balance of safety for both parent and baby.
Genetic And Metabolic Conditions
Some babies inherit genetic changes that make seizures more likely even before birth. These can be part of syndromes that affect many organs, or they can mainly involve brain function. In addition, certain metabolic disorders change how the body handles minerals, sugars, or other chemicals, which can trigger seizure activity.
In families with a history of early onset epilepsy or metabolic disease, doctors may use genetic testing or detailed imaging to assess risk during pregnancy. Even when a cause is genetic, care teams can still plan ahead so that the newborn has rapid access to brain imaging, electrical monitoring, and treatments right after delivery.
Maternal Illness, Infections Or Medicines
Seizure like activity in the womb can sometimes link to infections that reach the baby, such as certain viral or parasitic illnesses. In other cases, severe illness in the pregnant parent, exposure to toxins, or medicine side effects may affect the baby’s brain. These situations are complex and always call for close teamwork between obstetric, neonatal, and other medical specialists.
When a parent already lives with epilepsy, the baby does not automatically share the same condition. Still, doctors try to balance seizure control in the parent with medicine choices that are as safe as possible for the baby. Regular reviews of medicine doses, blood levels, and ultrasound findings help guide that balance.
How Doctors Check A Baby For Possible Seizures In The Womb
When someone arrives with a concern about shaking or strange movement, the maternity team starts with questions about the pattern and a check of the fetal heart rate. The next step is usually ultrasound. During the scan, the sonographer watches for repeated shaking of the same limb or body part and checks brain structures, surrounding fluid, and blood flow through the cord and placenta.
In some settings, doctors may add non stress testing, biophysical profiles, or Doppler studies to track how well the baby is coping inside the uterus. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists describes these and other tests used to monitor fetal health during pregnancy, and similar tools help when fetal seizures are a concern.
If scans suggest a seizure like pattern, doctors often refer the family to a tertiary center with fetal medicine and pediatric neurology teams. Further imaging such as fetal MRI can refine the picture. The team works to understand the cause, plan safe timing and mode of birth, and prepare a newborn care plan that includes close brain monitoring after delivery.
| Scenario | What Parents Often Notice | Typical Medical Response |
|---|---|---|
| New, strong jerky movements | Buzzing or shaking that feels new | Prompt call or visit, heart rate check, ultrasound |
| Regular hiccup like pattern | Gentle jumps in one spot | Reassurance when growth and movements stay normal |
| Sudden drop in movements | Baby feels quiet for several hours | Urgent review on a maternity unit |
| High risk medical history | Previous child with early seizures | Planned care with fetal medicine and neonatal teams |
| Abnormal findings on scan | No clear change in movement pattern | Closer surveillance and more detailed imaging |
| Movements return to normal | Brief odd spell that settles | Recheck at routine visits, extra review if concern returns |
| Confirmed fetal seizure pattern | Usually picked up on ultrasound | Birth and newborn care planned in a specialist center |
What Parents Can Do When Movements Feel Wrong
If something about your baby’s movements feels off, trust that instinct. Count movements over the next hour or two while lying on your side. Strong movement in that time is usually a good sign, but any drop in pattern, long stretch of quiet, or strange shaking sensation deserves direct contact with your maternity unit, midwife, or obstetrician.
Most guidelines advise calling straight away if you notice fewer movements than usual, no movement at times when your baby is usually active, or any pattern that troubles you. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists gives clear advice on your baby’s movements in pregnancy, and many hospitals follow similar guidance. You should never feel that you are “bothering” the team by asking for a check.
Life After Birth When Fetal Seizures Are Suspected
When doctors suspect seizures in the womb, they usually plan for close observation of the newborn. Soon after birth, the baby may have an electroencephalogram to check brain activity, brain imaging such as ultrasound or MRI, and a detailed physical examination. If seizures continue after birth, medicines such as antiseizure drugs can help control them while the team works on the underlying cause. Many families feel anxious while they wait for results.
Outcomes vary because causes differ. Some babies with suspected fetal seizures show clear ongoing neurological problems, while others grow and develop better than early scans predicted. Early contact with child neurology, planned developmental follow up, and clear teaching about seizure signs can all help families through the first months. Each pregnancy needs individual care and careful explanation from the medical team.