Feeling your baby move

Feeling your baby move gives you a sense of connection and is very important. From about 16–20 weeks of pregnancy you will usually begin to feel your baby’s movements. At first these movements are subtle, but they grow stronger as the baby develops. This experience is often referred to as “feeling life.” Why is feeling life important? In this article we explain what “feeling life” means, when you can expect it, and why it is so important to become familiar with your baby’s pattern of movements.

Why movements matter

The movements are a sign of healthy condition. Your baby receives oxygen and nutrients via the placenta. If that supply decreases, your baby may move less. That is why we always say: you know your baby best. If you feel that something is different from usual, call us. Better safe than sorry. Your baby gets nourishment via the placenta. If the placenta’s function declines, your baby’s condition can deteriorate. The baby may move less. It is important that you feel your baby moving as you’re used to. If you notice your baby becoming quieter or moving differently than normal, contact us.

What is a normal movement pattern: what will you feel?

First movements

Most women feel their baby move for the first time between 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. If you’ve had a baby before, you may feel the movements earlier—sometimes even before week 16. If this is your first pregnancy, it is also quite normal to feel your baby only after week 20. Often the first movements are described as “bubbles, little pops or fluttering” or “like your intestines, but different.” Once you have felt your baby move, you will begin to recognise the pattern and feel movement more often.

From week 28 onwards

The movements in your belly become stronger. You may feel kicks, turns, waves and jabs. Your partner can often feel them too. When your baby is very active, you may even see your belly move. From about 28 weeks the baby develops a pattern of sleep and wake times. Sleep usually lasts about 20 to 40 minutes, sometimes even up to an hour, but often not longer than one and a half hours. During sleep your baby moves very little or not at all. Once awake the baby is active. Most babies move in the afternoon and evening. Up to week 32 the number of movements increases. In the final weeks and around your due date the movements may change and become less forceful. This is because your baby has less space. Many women experience more sliding sensations in their belly. It remains important that you feel your baby’s movements regularly. Whether your baby is head‑down or breech doesn’t matter.

Quiet and active babies

Some babies are more active, others more quiet. This can vary between pregnancies. What matters is that you become familiar with your baby’s movement pattern.

What can affect movement and your perception?

Placenta location

If your placenta is located at the front of your uterus (anterior placenta), it may be harder to feel your baby’s movements up to 28 weeks. After 28 weeks the baby’s movements are typically strong enough to be felt anyway.

Your posture

How often you feel your baby move depends partly on your posture. When you lie down you’ll feel more than when you stand. If you are working or busy, you might notice fewer movements because your attention is elsewhere.

Medication, alcohol, smoking

Your baby may move less if you use painkillers containing morphine or sedatives. You may also feel fewer movements if you smoke or drink alcohol.

What to do if your baby moves differently, less or not at all?

Up to 24 weeks

Not all women feel daily movements yet. If by 24 weeks you have not yet felt your baby move, contact us. We will listen to your baby’s heartbeat and may schedule an ultrasound.

Between 24 and 28 weeks

In this period your baby’s movement pattern may still vary widely day by day. If you have doubts whether you feel your baby enough, contact us. If needed we will schedule an extra check‑up.

From 28 weeks onwards

Now you should be able to feel your baby every day regularly. If your baby is moving less than usual, take a moment to feel for movement. Lie on your left side — this position helps optimal blood flow from the placenta.
Advice:
– Lie on your left side for 2 hours and count the movements.
If you feel less than 10 movements in those 2 hours, doubt the strength of the movements or don’t feel reassured — call us immediately. Do not wait until the next day!

Visit the midwife or gynaecologist

If you are more than 28 weeks pregnant and feel less than 10 movements after 2 hours lying on your left side — or are unsure about the strength of movements and feel unsettled — we will ask you to come to the practice. First we will listen to your baby’s heartbeat, feel your belly and measure your blood pressure. If we’re still uncertain about your baby’s movement, we may perform a CTG. This records the baby’s heart rate for at least half an hour so we can assess your baby’s condition. We may also perform an ultrasound within a day to check amniotic fluid volume.

• Check result OK

If the check is fine your baby is in good condition. Many women then feel their baby move well again. You will get advice on how to monitor movements from then on. After going home you will be advised to monitor your baby’s movements. If you again notice fewer movements, contact us.

Do not hesitate to call again. It makes no difference if you call more often!

• Check result not OK

If there is concern about your baby’s condition, additional hospital monitoring by a gynaecologist may be necessary. Depending on results and gestational age, the gynaecologist may advise repeat tests within 1‑2 days or may advise early delivery. Of course we will explain exactly how, what and why. Afterwards you and your partner will make the decision together.