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Fetal Movement - WebMD: When You Feel Baby Kick

Written by Stephanie Watson

Reviewed by Traci C. Johnson, MD on January 08, 2021

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.

Influence of a woman's sexual life on pregnancy

Pregnancy is a magical time in every woman's life. In the body every moment there are tangible changes that completely change the attitude of the expectant mother to life and others. When pregnancy occurs, a woman's body undergoes major hormonal changes. The restructuring of the body often enhances sexual desire, provokes a desire for caresses and tenderness in a woman, this is absolutely normal, because during this period the uterus expands and grows, the clitoris also increases, and blood flow to the pelvic organs increases. Accordingly, women's desire for sexual intercourse during pregnancy increases. Sex during pregnancy can be very productive: many women note that orgasm during childbearing becomes brighter and stronger, and for some it even comes for the first time, but sex can also lead to disastrous consequences such as a threatened miscarriage. We decided to deal with this problem and understand the causal relationship between sexual intercourse (orgasm) and pregnancy.

In the admission department of KMKB No. 4 for 6 months. In 2016, a study was conducted to determine the causal relationship between the threat of termination of pregnancy and sexual intercourse.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of sexual intercourse on the course of pregnancy.

Due to the widespread prevalence of the diagnosis: threatened miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, this problem deserves special attention today. The reasons for the threat of miscarriage can be very diverse. According to statistics, up to 20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage.

The following causes of early termination of pregnancy are distinguished:

1. Genetic defects in the embryo that are incompatible with life. According to statistics, about 70% of this reason is a threat of miscarriage. Genetic disorders are not hereditary, but arise as a result of certain mutations in the germ cells of men and women due to the action of exogenous factors (viruses, alcohol, drugs). It is not possible to prevent a miscarriage associated with genetic mutations; it is only possible in advance, before pregnancy, to reduce the risk of genetic defects in the fetus by eliminating mutagenic factors.

2. Hormonal disorders in a woman associated with insufficient production of the hormone progesterone, which is necessary for the onset, maintenance and progression of pregnancy. It is possible to prevent a miscarriage associated with a lack of progesterone if the causative factor is identified in a timely manner and eliminated. Also, a high level of androgens in the body of a pregnant woman can contribute to the threat of miscarriage, because. these hormones suppress the secretion of female hormones - progesterone and estrogen, necessary for pregnancy. The imbalance of adrenal and thyroid hormones in the body of a pregnant woman also contributes to the threat of miscarriage.

3. Rh-conflict resulting from the rejection by the body of a Rh-negative woman of the body of a Rh-positive fetus. With such a problem, progesterone is often prescribed to prevent miscarriage.

4. Infectious diseases in a woman caused by non-specific and specific infections. Nonspecific diseases include influenza, hepatitis, pneumonia, pyelonephritis, appendicitis, etc. Specific infections include gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, toxoplasmosis, herpes and cytomegalovirus infections. Considering the high risk of miscarriage due to infectious causes, it is recommended to be examined before pregnancy and, if necessary, undergo the necessary course of therapy so that the subsequent pregnancy proceeds without complications.

5. Previous abortions can cause miscarriage, because abortion is a manipulation that is stressful for a woman's body and disrupts the functioning of her genital organs.

6. Taking medications and herbs can cause a threatened miscarriage.

7. Psycho-emotional disorders.

8. Leading an unhealthy lifestyle, which consists in taking drugs, alcohol, including smoking and taking caffeinated drinks.

The threat of miscarriage is also facilitated by physically heavy loads, falls, blows to the stomach.

Causal factors for the threat of miscarriage in late pregnancy, in addition to the above, may also be:

blood clotting disorders,
pathology of the placenta - detachment or presentation,
preeclampsia and eclampsia - increased blood pressure, impaired renal function, which is accompanied by loss of protein in the urine and the appearance of edema,
polyhydramnios,
the presence of isthmic-cervical insufficiency, which occurs after previous traumatic births, abortions, operations on the cervix.
Given the huge number of reasons that contribute to the threat of miscarriage, both in early and late pregnancy, we decided to analyze one of the causes of miscarriage is sexual intercourse. During sexual intercourse, the hormone oxytocin is produced, and in our study we will consider the effect of this hormone on the female reproductive system.

Oxytocin has a stimulating effect on the smooth muscles of the uterus, increases contractile activity and, to a lesser extent, the tone of the myometrium. At low concentrations, oxytocin increases the frequency and amplitude of uterine contractions, at high concentrations it increases the tone of the uterus, increases and intensifies its contractions (up to tetanic contractions or the development of tonic contracture of the uterus). Oxytocin causes a feeling of satisfaction, reduced anxiety and a sense of calm next to a partner. Many studies have proven the connection of oxytocin in human relationships, increasing confidence and reducing fear. This suggested that oxytocin may influence brain regions responsible for behavior, fear, and anxiety.

To dispel the doubts of expectant mothers, literature data show that orgasm is good for the unborn child. So, during orgasm, the walls of the uterus contract, and this leads to increased blood flow, and blood circulation in the placenta also increases. Thus, the fetus is provided with a large amount of nutrients and oxygen, metabolism is enhanced. In addition, pleasure hormones - endorphins and enkephalins, which are produced in the body at the peak of pleasure - also have a positive effect on both mother and baby. Another factor in favor of orgasm during pregnancy is that the contraction of the muscles of the uterus during orgasm becomes a training moment of labor activity.

However, excessive sexual activity may not always be beneficial. Orgasm can have an adverse effect if there is a threat of termination of pregnancy - in this case, you will have to be as careful as possible and it is better not to live sexually until the threat stops. You should also give up sex 2-3 weeks before the expected date of birth - during this period, an orgasm can cause contractions. But if the term of childbirth has already come up, and the baby still does not want to appear to mom and dad in the eyes, an orgasm can do a good job and become a pleasant start to the birth process due to uterine contraction with the help of oxytocin, which is produced during orgasm, as well as the effect of ejaculate on the cervix, because ejaculate contains prostaglandins that help prepare for childbirth.

One of the main factors of sexual activity during pregnancy is the control of sexually transmitted infections.

In the admission department of KMKB No. 4, we analyzed the appeals of 200 patients admitted for emergency reasons with complaints of acute pain in the lower abdomen, bloody discharge from the genital tract, we note that this group was identified by questioning when collecting an anamnesis. By questioning the patients, it was found that 80% (160) women complained against the background of complete well-being, all patients had an early pregnancy up to 12 weeks. 10% (20) of women complained after active physical activity, and all patients had an early pregnancy up to 12 weeks. 6% (12 people) of women complained after experienced stress. 4% (8) of women noted nagging pains in the lower abdomen, bloody discharge from the genital tract, after intercourse there was an increase in pain and bloody discharge with these complaints, the patients were admitted to the hospital. All patients were asked the question: did they have sexual intercourse during this pregnancy - 90% answered "Yes", 10% answered "No". The patients were asked the following question: were there any pains or spotting after intercourse? 98% answered that it was not, 2% that there were slight pulling pains in the lower abdomen. Of the two hundred patients, 150 were hospitalized, 50 were sent to a day hospital.

Conclusion: An active sexual life does not negatively affect the course of pregnancy, and even in some aspects positively affects the course of pregnancy and fetal development, but if there are medical contraindications, sexual life is categorically contraindicated if there are signs of a threatened abortion.

References

1. Gynecology: national guidelines / ed. IN AND. Kulakova, I.B. Manukhina, G.M. Savelyeva. – M.: GEOTAR Media, 2007. P.1072.

2. Obstetrics. National leadership - Ailamazyan E.K., Kulakov V.I. and others - 2009 - 1200.

3. Short-term pregnancy and retrochorial hematoma: diagnosis, treatment and prognosis at the present stage of development of obstetrics. Torchinov A.M., Umakhanova M.M., Doronin G.L., Ron M.G. //Young scientist. 2013. No. 4. S. 659-662.

4. High risk pregnancy. Makatsaria A.D. 2015.

5. Diagnostic algorithm for bleeding in early pregnancy. Vikhareva O.N.1,2, Tetruashvili N.K., Voevodin S.M., Demidov V.N., Shmakov R.G., Yusupov K.F.

6. Miscarriages in early pregnancy: diagnosis and management. Adamyan L.V., Smolnova T.Yu., Artymuk N.V.

Kurbanismailov R.B., Kuchugura O.A.
KGBUZ "KMKB No. 4", admission department

You will have a child.

20-year-old psychotherapist Philippa Perry wrote a book, "What a pity my parents didn't know about it (and how lucky my children are that I now know about it)" about how build relationships with children. The translation is published by the Bombara publishing house in early February. Forbes Woman publishes an excerpt about the prejudices faced by pregnant women

Finished reading here

How does a relationship with a child usually begin? As soon as you announce that you are pregnant, a flurry of advice falls upon you: how to eat, what not to drink and what you should not do now. Specific recommendations vary by culture and era, but the process itself—getting a huge amount of advice—is usually the same. Such an abundance of rules to follow may lead you to believe that there is a perfect pregnancy. This, in turn, involuntarily leads us to assume that in nature there is also an ideal parent who creates an impeccable child. This approach harms our relationship with the baby. The belief that pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood can somehow be optimized exposes us to the danger of producing an object for improvement rather than a person. Instead of striving for exhausting, unattainable perfection, it’s much better to understand that parenthood is not a project.

I will not tire of repeating that you brought into this world a person with whom you will have a long-term relationship based on sympathy and love in the future. There is another reason to pay attention to your reaction to the rules and advice you receive in connection with pregnancy. By following all the recommendations and taking all the precautions that we are told - although many of them are really useful - we gain a false sense of control over our pregnancy, over the chromosomes and genetic diseases that we pass on to the baby. Let's look at it the other way: there are many rules regarding childbearing, and they all change from one culture to another. But parents are seized with real horror if it seems to them that they have deviated from accepted norms in some way.

In the UK, for example, you will be advised to avoid unpasteurized dairy products. If you used them before you found out about your pregnancy, you may be haunted by disturbing thoughts about whether you caught some terrible disease that could harm your baby. Some risks you will be warned about, some you won't. The reality is that it is impossible to provide a completely safe perinatal period.

Pregnancy is a risk in itself. You may have a child who is different from the majority and, therefore, does not fit into the draconian framework of "ideal". But in the end, you are not creating a work of art, but a child - in order to love him. In some cultures, such as the Kalyai tribe of Papua New Guinea, it is believed that successful childbearing requires a couple to have as much sex as possible, preferably even during childbirth. The Kalyai also believe that if a pregnant woman eats flying fox meat (a common product in their culture), the baby will be born mentally retarded or will have a tremor like flying foxes are shaking. Similar customs and taboos are found all over the world.

Anthropologists refer to them as "sympathetic magic": the symptoms are associated with what the mother ate or did during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Whatever rules you are offered to follow, whether they are scientifically proven or folk, they depend on which country you live in and change as new knowledge is gained. I am not suggesting that you ignore medical advice, but pay attention to how it makes you feel.

You may be pleased with the results of a Yale University study that found that pregnant women who ate five or more chocolates per week in their last trimester had a 40% lower risk of preeclampsia (Complications of Pregnancy). Apparently, there are other reasons to love chocolate. In 2004, Katri Raikkonen from the University of Helsinki studied the relationship between the amount of chocolate consumed by a mother during pregnancy and how the babies behaved. When the babies were six months old, their behavior was assessed according to various criteria: how often they get frightened, how easily they console themselves, how much they smile and laugh. Babies born to women who consumed chocolate daily during pregnancy were more active, smiled and laughed more.

The researchers also assessed the stress level of mothers. The children of women who ate chocolate during stressful situations showed less fear in the new environment than the children of women who did not. The problem with all recommendations is that if you find out about them at the wrong time, you get the feeling that you have done some harm to the baby.

The chocolate advice is too late for me. I did not use it on a regular basis, however my child often laughs. What a pity my parents didn't know about it, no matter if it's medically proven or folk, it can be calming if you follow it, or cause panic otherwise. As I mentioned earlier, it is not in our power to control pregnancy in a way that would be comfortable for us.

Extreme stress (also called toxic) as a result of trauma, such as being threatened with physical harm during pregnancy, adversely affects the development of the unborn child, as does poor nutrition. Of course, this should be avoided at all costs. Normal stress - hard work, having to overcome disagreements with other people - most likely will not affect the fetus. There is a risk that the baby will be born with abnormalities or not survive. And there's nothing you can do about it, there's no magic that can prevent disaster, whether it's avoiding flying fox meat or any other rule you think you might have broken.

The most useful thing about sympathetic magick, in my opinion, is to consider your experience during pregnancy as a story that the baby learns inside the womb, a story about what will surround him when he is born. Then, if you enjoy your condition, feel relaxed, eat well, and are optimistic about the future, the story you tell your child will be one that he and you will want to continue after birth.

One way to start this story is to track how advice affects how you feel. If possible, try to direct your feelings from fear to optimism. I believe that everything will work out if you do not think of your unborn child as something that can go wrong. This is not the best way to lay the groundwork for a future interaction that is enjoyable for both parties. The way we think about people then becomes a habit, so let's remember that the germ inside you is the beginning of a separate person. Concentrate on what you are doing right, and not on scary stories that you have heard somewhere. Yes, this also applies to stories about someone's difficult birth. Your good mood will affect the fetus. It’s better to look in the direction you want to go, rather than focusing on where you don’t want to go at all. Then your attitude will become more positive and will serve as a good basis for future relationships. (Besides, if the worst does happen, the fact that you feared it and anticipated it is unlikely to ease the grief.)

The habit of being optimistic when it comes to your children is essential. For their sake, we must believe that they will develop, learn and integrate into society. I know for myself how much easier it is to achieve goals if the person significant to me believes in me, and I am sure that it is normal to feel this way. I wouldn't even try to write this book if my literary agent didn't have confidence in me. Likewise, your children need your faith in their ability to succeed. It is advisable to acquire this habit of positive attitude during pregnancy. Before you meet a new person, you usually learn something about him from others. You form an idea about him before you know him personally. Think about the impact of what you hear on how you think about this person. People usually think that they only form a final opinion when they meet, but in my experience, in most cases this is not the case.

In her book Inception, Annie Murphy, Paul talks about an experiment in which 120 pregnant women were asked to describe the movements of their fetuses. In cases where women knew who they were waiting for - a boy or a girl, this greatly influenced the choice of expressions that they used to convey their feelings from the movements of the baby. The key words in the descriptions of the girls' behavior were: "gentle", "swaying", "calm". For boys, the definitions were used: "energetic", "resolute", "kicking". But in the language of women who did not know the sex of the child, these clichés were not observed. And this is just one of the areas in which we need to be careful not to burden the baby with expectations of how he should be, even before he was born. Instead, one must acquire the habit of observing rather than judging. The way you think about your future child will also affect the connection with him. Whether you get used to presenting the fetus as a parasite, an occupier, a burden or an imaginary friend, a living god, or something else, your further interaction with the child will depend on this. Equally important is whether you are looking forward to meeting your baby with impatience (I hope) or with fear.

Exercise: How do you feel about your child?

Pay attention to your thoughts about your future baby. Analyze your attitude towards him and weigh what impact it can have on your relationship in the future.

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