• Contact us
• About us
• A-Z topics
• Symptom Checker
• Service Finder
• Linking to us
• Information partners
• Terms of use
• Privacy

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is funded by the Australian Government and operated by Healthdirect Australia.

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is provided on behalf of the Department of Health

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby’s information and advice are developed and managed within a rigorous clinical governance framework. This website is certified by the Health On The Net (HON) foundation, the standard for trustworthy health information.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.

The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.

Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, this publication or any part of it may not be reproduced, altered, adapted, stored and/or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Healthdirect Australia.

Support this browser is being discontinued for Pregnancy, Birth and Baby

Support for this browser is being discontinued for this site

• Internet Explorer 11 and lower

We currently support Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Firefox and Safari. For more information, please visit the links below:

• Chrome by Google
• Firefox by Mozilla
• Microsoft Edge
• Safari by Apple

You are welcome to continue browsing this site with this browser. Some features, tools or interaction may not work correctly.

Fetal Movement - WebMD: When You Feel Baby Kick

Written by Stephanie Watson

In this Article

• When Will I Feel My Baby Kicking?
• What Does the Baby's Kicking Feel Like?
• How Often Should I Feel My Baby Moving?
• Should I Monitor My Baby's Kicking?
• If You Don't Feel Your Baby Moving
• Timeline of Baby Movement

One of the most exciting moments in your pregnancy is when you feel those first little flutters of your baby kicking. These tiny movements reassure you that your baby is developing and help you feel closer to the little life inside of you.

When Will I Feel My Baby Kicking?

You should feel your baby's first movements, called "quickening," between weeks 16 and 25 of your pregnancy. If this is your first pregnancy, you may not feel your baby move until closer to 25 weeks. By the second pregnancy, some women start to feel movements as early as 13 weeks. You're more likely to feel baby move when you're in a quiet position, either sitting or lying down.

What Does the Baby's Kicking Feel Like?

Pregnant women describe their baby's movements as butterflies, nervous twitches, or a tumbling motion. At first, it may be hard to tell whether your baby has moved. Second- and third-time moms are more adept at distinguishing those first baby movements from gas, hunger pangs, and other internal motions.

By your second and third trimesters, the movements should be more distinct, and you'll be able to feel your baby's kicks, jabs, and elbows.

How Often Should I Feel My Baby Moving?

Early in your pregnancy, you may just feel a few flutters every now and then. But as your baby grows -- usually by the end of the second trimester -- the kicks should grow stronger and more frequent. Studies show that by the third trimester, the baby moves about 30 times each hour.

Babies tend to move more at certain times of the day as they alternate between alertness and sleep. They are usually most active between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m., right as you're trying to get to sleep. This surge in activity is due to your changing blood sugar levels. Babies also can respond to sounds or touch, and may even kick your partner in the back if you snuggle too close in bed.

Should I Monitor My Baby's Kicking?

Once your baby's movements are well established (usually by week 28), some doctors recommend keeping track of all those little punches, jabs, and kicks to make sure your baby is still developing the way they should. This is known as a fetal movement assessment, fetal kick count, or fetal movement counting.

Obstetricians recommend moms do fetal movement counts. While reduced movements or counts done at home can be worrisome, they may not be reliable. If you feel your baby is moving or kicking less often than normal, contact your doctor. 

Counting is a lot harder when you have twins. You may not be able to tell which baby is moving. Even so, many doctors recommend it as a way to keep track.

If you are counting, it helps to chart your baby's kicks so that you can keep track of your baby's normal patterns of movement. To count movements, pick a time when your baby is usually most active (often, this is right after you've eaten a meal). Get into a comfortable position either sitting down in a comfortable chair or lying on your side. If you lie down, lie on your left side, so your baby will have better circulation.

Opinion varies as to how to count your baby's movements, but the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends noting the time it takes for your baby to make 10 movements. You should feel at least 10 movements within a 2-hour period.

If you can't feel 10 movements in 2 hours despite eating something and fully focusing on the baby's movements, call your doctor for advice on what to do next.

If You Don't Feel Your Baby Moving

If you haven't yet reached 25 weeks and don't feel your baby move, or you're not sure that what you're feeling is actually your baby, don't panic. As your baby grows, you'll be able to better distinguish their movements. You'll also figure out at what times of the day your baby is most active. Some babies just naturally move less often than others.

A lack of movement also may mean that your baby is asleep. You may feel fewer kicks and jabs after the 32nd week as your baby gets bigger and has less room to move around in the uterus.

If your baby has started to move regularly and you don't feel at least 10 movements within a 2-hour period, or the movements have slowed significantly, it's time to call your doctor.

Timeline of Baby Movement

Here is a guide to your baby's possible movements.

Week 12: Your baby should start to move, but you probably won't be able to feel anything because the baby is still so small.

Week 16: Some pregnant women will start to feel tiny butterfly-like flutters. The feeling might just be gas, or it might be the baby moving.

Week 20: By this point in your baby's development, you may start to really feel your baby's first movements, called "quickening."

Week 24: The baby's movements are starting to become more established. You might also begin to feel slight twitches as your baby hiccups.

Week 28: Your baby is moving often now. Some of the kicks and jabs may take your breath away.

Week 36: Your uterus is getting crowded as the baby grows, and movements should slow down a bit. However, alert your doctor if you notice significant changes in your baby’s usual activity. You should feel consistent movement throughout the day.

at what time does it start and what does it feel like

When the fetal movements start

Ultrasound data show that the baby starts moving very early, at the 7-8th week of pregnancy, but the expectant mother does not feel these movements yet. For a period of 16 weeks, his movements become more active. The child already reacts to sounds and other stimuli. At 17–18 weeks, the baby actively moves his arms, touches the umbilical cord, clenching and unclenching his fists.

As a rule, the expectant mother notices the movements of the child for a period of 16 to 20 weeks. If she is expecting a baby for the first time, she will most likely notice fetal movements later - closer to the 20-21st week of pregnancy. nine0005

Multi-pregnant women feel the movements of the baby 2-3 weeks earlier. And as a rule, by the end of the second trimester, all expectant mothers feel the timid jolts of little legs. And by the 24th week of pregnancy, even relatives will be able to feel the movements of the fetus through the anterior abdominal wall.

It is important to understand that there is no generally accepted norm when a woman begins to feel the first fetal movements during pregnancy. It depends on many factors: the thickness of the subcutaneous fat layer, the amount of amniotic fluid, the individual sensitivity of the mother. For example, overweight women notice fetal movements later - usually at 20-22 weeks. And on the contrary, thin expectant mothers feel light kicks already at 17-19th week.

How fetal movements change at different stages of pregnancy

The first fetal movements during pregnancy are light, slightly noticeable. The expectant mother feels them as timid tremors, movements inside the abdomen. Some women say: "It's like a fish swims." The baby is growing, gaining strength, and the nature of his movements is changing. They become more frequent. So, compared with the 20th week of pregnancy, by the 28-32nd week, the number of fetal movements triples and reaches 600 times a day.

After the 30th week, the feelings of the expectant mother change. The baby already occupies all the space in the uterus. His motor activity is reduced, and the woman feels only the strongest movements, and sometimes she can even feel her arm or leg. nine0005

Important!

The baby's activity pattern is an important diagnostic sign that should be reported to the doctor.

The movements of the fetus during pregnancy can determine its biological rhythm, which does not always coincide with the mother's. And this is so far his only way to communicate with his mother - through movements, he conveys a lot of useful information.

The position of the fetus can be determined by the place of maximum intensity of sensations. If the mother feels active movements of the fetus in the upper abdomen, this means that the child is in the head presentation and actively “beats” the legs in the right hypochondrium. If, on the contrary, the maximum movement is felt in the lower abdomen, then the fetus is in a breech presentation. nine0005

The closer to the birth, the less room there is for the baby to maneuver - and the less sweeping his movements become. After 36 weeks, when the uterus descends into the pelvic cavity, the activity of the fetus decreases. He doesn't stop moving, but he does it less often than usual. He is preparing for childbirth - and takes a comfortable position for this.

How to count fetal movements

The number of movements can be estimated using the “Count to 10” rule. This can be done independently at home. Here's what you need:

• Select an observation period of 12 hours, for example, from 9 am to 9 pm.
• Note the time when the first fetal movements begin - for example, at 9:30.
• Note the time of the tenth fetal movement - for example, at 18:45.

10 fetal movements must be recorded in 12 hours. If less, this should be noted and reported to the doctor.

A movement is not considered a single push or kick, but a group of movements. For example, the baby woke up, turned in his tummy, kicked his leg - it's all one movement. He fell asleep, woke up an hour later, turned over again - this is the second stirring, etc.

You can count the number of individual movements per hour - there must be at least ten of them, but this method is less informative. Within an hour, the child can just sleep.

At what week of pregnancy should fetal movements be counted?

Obstetricians recommend starting no earlier than 28 weeks. Before this period, the movements of the baby are not so noticeable, and the test will be uninformative.

If the fetal movements are too active

The nature of the baby's movements changes throughout the day and depends on many factors. nine0005

Sometimes the baby moves abruptly if it becomes uncomfortable - for example, when the mother sits in one position for a long time or is in a stuffy room, and the baby experiences a lack of oxygen.

The frequency of fetal movements increases after eating, as the child receives an influx of glucose and begins to be active. After half an hour, the movements are no longer so noticeable.

Active fetal movement may indicate the development of complications - as well as too sluggish movements. Very strong shocks are observed during hypoxia (lack of oxygen), the threat of premature birth, cord entanglement, polyhydramnios. Sluggish and almost imperceptible movements of the crumbs can also indicate problems. In all these situations, you should definitely consult a doctor. nine0005

Important!

In case of unusual or painful sensations, with a sudden and inexplicable change in movements in the abdomen, if the fetal movements stop for a period of more than 12 hours, you should immediately contact a gynecologist.

• 1. Normal pregnancy. Clinical guidelines, 2019.
• 2. Obstetrics: national guidance: Ailamazyan E.K., Savelyeva G.M., Radzinsky V.E.
• 3. WHO antenatal care guidelines for a positive pregnancy experience, 2017.

• Obstetrician-gynecologist (Southern State Medical University, Faculty of Pediatrics, specialization at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Others articles by the author

when the first movement normally occurs during the first, second, third pregnancies, mother's feelings

The first movement of a child is a long-awaited and exciting event. Each mother feels it in her own way, so for a woman carrying her first child, no one can describe exactly what she will feel. Someone perceives the beginning of the baby's movement as light jolts, someone - as a gurgling or fluttering of a butterfly. At the same time, the movement of the child during the second and subsequent pregnancies may be completely different from the first time. nine0005

But while the mother is experiencing all these exciting feelings, the baby is busy with serious business. By moving his legs and arms, the child develops muscles and joints, tendons are formed. These "workouts" are not in vain compared with water aerobics.

By the way a child moves, one can judge his health. But only a specialist can correctly interpret fetal motility. Therefore, you should not worry ahead of time if the nature of fetal movements during pregnancy has changed. At the same time, it would not hurt the expectant mother to know what affects the behavior of the baby in her womb, when he begins to be active, and what changes may be the reason for going to the doctor. We will tell about this. nine0005

What you need to know about fetal movements during pregnancy

For a mother, the movement of a baby in the womb is contact, communication with him. For the doctor - a source of information. By the nature of the movements, it is possible to determine how the child feels, where his head and legs are, and to calculate the pre-term of delivery.

When the first movement of the fetus normally occurs

Usually the fetus itself begins to move already at 7-8 weeks of pregnancy - these are spontaneous muscle contractions, the woman does not feel them. At the 12-14th week, the child is already quite actively moving his legs and arms, somersaults and swims in the uterine cavity like in a pool. But he is still so small that he practically does not come into contact with the walls of the uterus, and his mother can only see his movements on an ultrasound. But by the 16th week, she may well feel them. Women who are overweight or active, and those who work a lot, tend to feel movements later than slender women and those who live in a measured rhythm. nine0005

Normally, a mother can feel her baby's movements as early as the 18th week. However, there may be differences between primiparas and women who have given birth before.

During the first pregnancy

When a woman is carrying her first child, she begins to feel his movements at about 20 weeks. Usually a little later than those who are not pregnant for the first time.

One of the explanations is that the tone of the anterior wall of the abdomen is higher in the primipara. Another - due to inexperience, a woman may not attach any importance to the first movements at all and take them, for example, for "something with the intestines." Especially if the expectant mother is active, works a lot and she has no time to constantly listen to what is happening inside. nine0005

During the second pregnancy

It is believed that during the second pregnancy, a woman may feel fetal movements a couple of weeks earlier than during the first. She is already experienced enough to understand that “butterfly fluttering” or “bubbles” in her stomach is a signal that the baby has reached out to her mother.

During the third pregnancy

A woman may feel the beginning of the baby's movement during the third pregnancy from the 16th to the 24th week. The walls of the uterus become more elastic and slightly thinner, so the nerve receptors of the peritoneum are more sensitive to the movements of the baby. nine0005

During the fourth and subsequent pregnancies

After each pregnancy, a woman has more experience and knowledge. She can already recognize the gentle and timid first movements of her child much earlier. Some mothers of many children can hear this cherished “knock-knock” of their fourth, fifth or sixth child as early as the 14th week.

How does mother feel?

Perception of movements is very individual. Especially the very first ones. They are compared with the “gurgling” of bubbles, fluttering butterflies, light tickling, “murmuring” in the stomach. All of them are at first quiet and unobtrusive. The longer the period, the more actively and persistently the child declares himself with tangible shocks. Closer to childbirth, he can already decently kick and even hurt his mother. nine0005

The frequency of the baby's movements in the womb depends on its position in the uterus, the characteristics of the woman's body, her mood and other factors. But the pregnant woman does not feel all the movements of the fetus. Meanwhile, on the 20th week there are already about 200 of them per day, and on the 28-32nd week - up to 600!

On average, after 28 weeks, the frequency of perceptible fetal movements is from 4 to 8 per hour. But at this time, the child already has cycles of sleep and wakefulness. The baby can sleep for several hours in a row, calming down for this time. nine0005

There are several general methods for assessing fetal movements.

• Pearson method

A pregnant woman counts fetal movements in 12 hours, and writes down the time of each 10th movement in a table. If there are less than 10 such records in 12 hours, then the activity of the fetus is low, and in order to understand the reasons, one should consult a doctor (1).

• Sadowski method

The woman lies on her left side and counts all fetal movements, even the smallest ones. If the child feels well, the mother will count at least 10 movements per hour. If there are fewer movements, you need to lie down for another hour or two and continue counting. If in two hours there were less than 10 movements, you should consult a doctor. nine0005

How the nature of movements changes during the entire period of pregnancy

A baby begins to move in the womb much earlier than the mother feels it - at a period of 7-8 weeks. We are talking about the movements that she can feel.

The very first - on the 18-20th week - gentle and light, wavy or pulsating. But the baby is growing, the nature of the movements is changing. It moves most actively during the period from the 24th to the 32nd week of pregnancy. It can tumble, roll over, wiggle, rotate along its axis. Sometimes these movements of his can be traced along the mother's stomach, into which he rests from the inside with his heel, then his knee, then his hand. nine0005

By the 30th week, the fairly grown fetus assumes a permanent posture, bending its head and pressing its arms and legs to the body. He has little space for movements, but they are much more noticeable for mom, and sometimes even painful.

Fetal movements become smoother, more limited after 34-36 weeks. By stirring, the baby responds to a change in the position of the mother's body. After 38 weeks, when the abdomen droops, the fetus also moves lower and becomes calmer, as if saving energy for childbirth. nine0005

Doctors' comments about movements during pregnancy

Shared her opinion Maria Filatova, obstetrician-gynecologist, gynecologist-endocrinologist at the Chaika clinic :

— During pregnancy, women can be very worried and tend to overestimate the slightest changes in the nature of the baby's movements. This is fine. It is better to go to the doctor as soon as you suspect something is wrong (albeit several times), but make sure that your baby is doing well and stop worrying than not to come at all. nine0005

Regular fetal movements indicate a successful pregnancy. But the number of movements that is considered normal is a rather conditional indicator. It is most important for a woman to know about the individual nature of her child's movements. Reducing or changing the movements is what you need to pay attention to. If the movements become more rare and weak, it is urgent to contact an obstetrician-gynecologist.

Be sure to see a doctor if:

• fetal movements are not felt after 22 weeks of pregnancy; nine0034
• there were no movements during the day or they became significantly less within 12 hours;
• movements became too active, to the point of pain, their character and frequency changed dramatically for no apparent reason.

Some medications (such as strong painkillers or sedatives) can enter the fetal circulation and reduce the amount of fetal movement. Alcohol and smoking can also affect your child's movements. Often, expectant mothers note an increase in fetal activity after they have eaten sweets and against the background of their stress. nine0005

Comments Victoria Fisyuk, obstetrician-gynecologist at the SM-Clinic Reproductive Health Center:

— According to obstetric books, it is believed that fetal movements begin to be felt in a primigravida from 20 weeks, in a multi-pregnant woman - from 18 weeks. But at a doctor's appointment, pregnant women sometimes say that they feel movements from 16 and even from 14 weeks, and there is no reason not to believe them.

Previously, when it was not possible to assess the condition of the fetus with the help of instrumental research methods, attention was paid and great importance was attached precisely to the movements of the fetus, their nature and quantity. Focused on counting movements per hour, per 12 hours. But in my opinion, it was an assessment as such of the life of the fetus and nothing more. The fetus is already a person who lives his own life, he sleeps, rests, moves. Oddly enough, weather conditions influence him: when it rains or snows outside, he can just sleep all day. Sometimes his behavior may depend on the nutrition of his mother. If she hasn’t eaten for a long time, he can calm down, after eating for some time activity increases significantly, and a little later the fetus can sleep, which sometimes we, adults, want after a hearty dinner. nine0005

With an excess of sugar, the fetus will be less active. If the mother is unwell, for example, due to a viral infection, the fetus may also suffer a little from this.

Any attempt to adequately assess the vital activity of the fetus is not an easy task. But thanks to modern types of research: fetal ultrasound with Doppler, just Doppler, CTG, which is usually performed after 32 weeks, you can make the right conclusion.

Sometimes a mother can come just in time for CTG, for example, in the afternoon, that is, when the fetus is sleeping. And in order not to get an incorrect result, we sometimes offer a woman to eat a chocolate bar or just move around, change position, turn to the other side. In the future, we recommend that you come to CTG during the hours of the greatest activity of the fetus. nine0005

If the assessment is low, a conclusion is given on suspicion of fetal hypoxia and, as a rule, the pregnant woman is sent to a hospital, where, thanks to monitoring, the condition of the fetus is assessed and sometimes a decision is made on delivery without waiting for the full term in the interests of the unborn child. Therefore, at the slightest suspicion of the mother that the fetus is "somehow not moving like that", you should immediately consult an obstetrician-gynecologist who will help relieve anxiety in order to continue to carry the pregnancy calmly. nine0005

Frequently asked questions and answers

Obstetrician-gynecologist Maria Filatova answers frequently asked questions from readers.

In what cases should the movement intervals be counted?

In situations where there are violations of the fetal-placental blood flow on ultrasound or abnormalities on CTG, a fetal movement test becomes mandatory for the expectant mother. But any woman can use it during pregnancy.

Usually start testing at 28 weeks using the Pearson method (see What is the normal frequency of movement). From 9.00 to 21.00 every tenth movement of the baby is recorded in a special table.

With normal development, at least 10 movements can be counted in 12 hours. If the tenth movement was at 14-15 hours, and the next day by this time the baby did not move even 5 times, then you should consult a doctor. Perhaps there is a violation of placental blood flow and fetal hypoxia (2).

What to do if the movements seem too active or, on the contrary, too weak?

Seek medical attention. Both too active movements and too weak ones can speak of hypoxia. Some anatomical and physiological features of the mother can also affect her perception of the intensity of movements. For example, thin women will feel more intense movements (3). nine0005

If the placenta (afterbirth) is in the anterior part of the uterus (womb), the woman may feel less able to move. If the baby is closer to the uterus with his back than with his hands, then the movements may also be felt less intensely.

In any case, whatever the cause of weak movements, it is better to go to the doctor and make sure that everything is in order with the baby.

Where do you feel movement in the abdomen?

If the baby's head is down, the main movements will be felt near the navel. If at the bottom of his legs, then the motor activity will shift to the lower abdomen. nine0005

By the nature of the movements, it is possible to determine in which direction the child's face is turned. If to the back of the mother, then the movements occur in the depths of the abdomen, if to the stomach, the movements are directed outward.

Learn more

• 
  Can i travel at 37 weeks pregnant
• 
  Week 5 embryo development
• 
  Early signs of pregnancy body aches
• 
  How to check the due date on pregnancy
• 
  How do i get a new child support card
• 
  Red spots infant
• 
  What causes miscarriage at 18 weeks
• 
  How can i help my newborn with constipation
• 
  1St trimester nausea
• 
  How do i help my newborn poop
• 
  How long can i claim my child as a dependant