When should I start to feel my baby move? How much should it move in a day?

When should i feel my baby move?

Babies move from very early on in the pregnancy. You may remember from your first scan seeing that tiny baby, which probably only measured around 5-6cm from top to bottom jumping around and not being able to feel it. It is an amazing thing, right?

As babies get bigger, you will start to feel the movements. Everyone is different as to when they first feel the movements, but the earliest is usually around 16-24 weeks (the official version is 18-20 weeks!). Women having their second babies usually feel babies earlier than they did in their first pregnancy, just because they know what it feels like. Although some women report feeling movements even earlier than this, I am never that convinced as from my own experience of pregnancy, the hormones (progesterone mainly) cause quite significant bowel changes and the feeling of the bowels moving is very similar to the early feeling of a baby moving.

What will the movements feel like?

It initially feels like tiny flutters or shifts of something, like a bubble moving inside. As the baby gets bigger you will notice different types of movements, sometimes a kick, sometimes a roll, flutter or swish.

Perception of movement can be very different for different people, as it just depends on you. Sometimes, if the placenta is at the front, it acts a bit like a cushion and movement can be more difficult to feel especially less than 28 weeks. Also, the position of babies can change how you feel your baby. If the baby’s back is facing your back you will likely feel more movements than if your baby is the other way around. Sometimes babies get the hiccoughs, which is just like when you get hiccoughs – like a sudden small rhythmic jerk. This is all fine, and is a normal variation of movements.

The baby’s movements usually gradually increase, both in strength and frequency, as the pregnancy progresses to about 32 weeks.  After this, the baby’s movements stay at the similar amount until the baby is born. The movements do not fall near the end of the pregnancy – this is important.

Keeping track of movement

Some women notice a particular pattern to the movements so get to know your baby. A common pattern reported is that babies often move more in the evenings. I am not sure if this is just because you are more likely to be resting in the evening and notice the movements more than the rest of the day, or if this is a real change in the movement pattern. It is normal for babies to have quieter periods, as babies sleep in the womb just as they do when they are born, and more active periods. However, this is not the same for everyone – your baby will develop its own movement pattern. What is important is that you pay attention to your baby’s movements and get used to Baby’s routines. These won’t be exactly the same every day but just get familiar with your baby’s patterns.

Why is movement important for my baby?

The baby’s movements are important as they are a reflection of the baby’s wellbeing on a day to day basis, and they are a way for you to keep a check on this every day. The most important message is that if you are worried that you baby has moved less than usual, or not at all then you MUST contact the hospital for advice and they will likely ask you to go in and get checked out. We don’t specify a time or number of movements, as there is only you who knows what the normal pattern for your baby is. Try not to worry to much as the vast majority of babies are fine when you go to the hospital.  If you get asked to go to the hospital, then baby will be monitored with the baby heart rate monitor, which is called a CTG. The vast majority of babies have a normal heart rate trace when you go in (probably 95%+) but it is still REALLY important to go. Although fewer than 5% of babies would have a concern on the heart rate monitor, that is still 1:20 babies. So, make sure you go if you are worried.

Sometimes, a scan will be arranged and if you are at the end of the pregnancy, then induction of labour may be discussed with you, especially if you have been concerned about the movements more than once in the later stages of pregnancy.