Your baby's movements in pregnancy

The first time you feel your baby move can be a particularly exciting and emotional moment in your pregnancy. It's amazing to think about your baby squirming around, and you're bound to wonder what he's getting up to in there!

When will I feel my baby's first movements?

You'll probably start to be aware of something when you're about 18 weeks to 20 weeks pregnant (Linde et al 2016, RCOG 2011, 2019).

If this is your first pregnancy, it may take you a bit longer to realise that those gentle fluttering feelings in your tummy (quickening) are your baby's movements (Raynes-Greenow et al 2013, RCOG 2011, 2019).

If you've had a baby before, you'll know the tell-tale signs, and may notice your baby moving around as early as 16 weeks (RCOG 2011, 2019).

Either way, if you haven't felt any movement from your baby by 24 weeks, see your doctor or midwife (RCOG 2019). She'll listen for your baby's heartbeat and may also arrange an ultrasound scan, or other checks, if they’re needed.

What is my baby doing in there?

Ultrasound scans have given us incredible insight into what kinds of movements babies can make and when.

Your baby will start moving long before you can actually feel it (Fretts 2018), and his movements will change as he grows and develops (RCOG 2019). If you're lucky, your baby may be awake during your scan, and you'll be able to see every wriggle and squirm (Fretts 2018).

• At about eight weeks, your baby starts stirring, for example by bending sideways and making tiny sudden movements (startling). He can even twitch the tiny nubs that will become his arms and legs (Moore et al 2019).
• At about nine weeks, your baby may get hiccups for the very first time (de Vries and Fong 2006).
• At 10 weeks, he can move his head, bring his hands up to touch his face, and open his jaw (de Vries and Fong 2006).
• At 11 weeks, he can suck and swallow the amniotic fluid around him (Moore et al 2019). When you eat something with a strong flavour, such as garlic, he can even taste it (Nehring et al 2015).
• At 12 weeks, he can yawn and stretch (de Vries and Fong 2006). Perhaps all that growing is tiring business!
• At 13 weeks, your baby takes little naps – usually for just a few minutes at a time (Tommy's 2018b). He'll gradually sleep for longer periods as he grows (Tommy's 2018b). In fact, by the time you can feel him move, you may notice a pattern of times when he's usually asleep and times when he's usually awake (Tommy's 2018b).
• At 14 weeks, you probably still won't be able to feel your baby yet, but he can feel you! If you gently prod your belly, he may respond by squirming about more (WebMD 2019).
• At 15 weeks, his coordination is starting to improve (Moore et al 2019), and he can suck his thumb (WebMD 2019).

Gradually, your baby's movements become strong enough for you to feel them. At first they’ll be gentle, and may feel like a flutter, bubbles popping or a rippling sensation (CRES 2017, Raynes-Greenow et al 2013). Sometimes it can feel like gas or air (CRES 2017, Raynes-Greenow et al 2013).

Before long, you'll be used to him pushing, swirling, twisting and even thumping or kicking as he moves his little limbs (Raynes-Greenow et al 2013).

Babies are usually most active during the afternoon and evening (RCOG 2011, 2019), although this may just be when mums-to-be have time to stop, sit down and feel movements more. All babies have their own pattern of movements, though, so don't worry if you notice your baby move more in the morning, for example.

Your baby won't be constantly on the move, though. There'll be times when he just wants to rest and sleep (Linde et al 2016, RCOG 2011, 2019). So don't worry if you don't see much activity during your scans, because your baby may just be having a snooze. As long as he moves just a little bit, there's no cause for concern.

Your baby’s sleeps and rest periods will usually last about 20 to 40 minutes at a time (CRES 2017, RCOG 2011, 2019), although they could be up to 90 minutes (CRES 2017, Linde et al 2016, RCOG 2011, 2019). They may feel longer than this to you, though, because you won't notice every movement.

Towards the end of your pregnancy, you may notice that your baby's movements feel a bit different, because he has less room to move (RCOG 2019). But you should still feel him moving as often as before (RCOG 2019, Tommy's 2018a). If you're ever concerned that your baby seems to be moving less than usual, contact your doctor or midwife straight away (CRES 2017, RCOG 2019, Tommy's 2018a), even if it's the middle of the night (NHS 2018).

How many kicks should I feel each day?

There's no set number of kicks you should feel (RCOG 2019), and no need to keep a written record or chart of your baby's movements (NCCWCH 2008, RCOG 2011). When it comes to assessing how your baby’s doing, counting kicks and keeping charts aren't as helpful as generally being aware of your baby’s movements (CRES 2017, DH 2018, Mangesi et al 2015, RCOG 2011, 2019).

Listen to your instincts, and if you feel like something isn't right, seek medical advice as soon as possible (CRES 2017, ISA 2017).

Try to tune in to your baby's pattern of movements and pay attention to when he moves most often throughout the day (CRES 2017, DH 2018, RCOG 2019). As your pregnancy progresses, it gets easier to learn this rhythm. Every baby has a different pattern of waking and sleeping, and it’s helpful to know what’s normal for your baby (RCOG 2019).

Your baby will move increasingly often until you're about 32 weeks (RCOG 2011), using your whole uterus as his play space. After that, he'll be just as active, but his movements will become more deliberate, and you may start to notice a pattern to them as he gets bigger and settles into a position (DH 2018, Linde et al 2016, RCOG 2011, 2019). As your pregnancy progresses, you may also notice that the type of movement you feel changes (CRES 2017, Linde et al 2016, RCOG 2011, 2019).

Towards the end of your third trimester, for example, your baby may be running out of space to roll over. Instead, he may make more squirming movements and kick strongly underneath your ribs (Raynes-Greenow et al 2013). His movements may feel more deliberate, but also harder and stronger (Linde et al 2016). But you should still be feeling him move right up until the birth, including during labour itself (CRES 2017, RCOG 2011, 2019).

If you notice a change in your baby's pattern of movements, or are worried at any stage, contact your doctor, midwife or maternity unit straight away so your baby's wellbeing can be checked (CRES 2017, DH 2018, NCCWCH 2008, RCOG 2019). Don't wait until your next appointment, or even the next day; call as soon as you notice any change in movements (NHS 2018, RCOG 2019, Tommy's 2018a).

How can I tune in to my baby’s movements?

If you’re active or busy, you may not notice your baby’s movements, making it hard to learn his patterns as your pregnancy progresses (RCOG 2011, 2019). You're more likely to be aware of your baby's movements when you're lying down rather than sitting, and you'll probably be least aware of them when you're standing (Raynes-Greenow et al 2013, RCOG 2011).

So to help you focus on your baby's movements, lie on your side with support under your bump. Stay still for an hour or two, during which time you should feel a series of separate movements (CRES nd). Doing this at different times of the day will give you a sense of when your baby tends to be most active, and when he tends to rest.

If you’re trying to tune into your baby, but you're worried he isn’t moving as much as usual, don’t wait until the end of this hour or two. Contact your doctor, midwife or hospital maternity unit straight away (CRES nd).

There's no evidence that having a cold drink or eating something sweet will encourage your baby to move (CRES 2017).

When should I see a midwife or doctor?

Contact your midwife or doctor immediately if your baby seems to be moving less than, or differently to usual (CRES 2017, DH 2018, RCOG 2011, 2019). Don’t wait until the next day (DH 2018). This includes if:

• your baby suddenly starts moving less (NSWH 2011)
• his movements gradually decrease over several days (NSWH 2011)
• his movements are unusually weak or strong (CRES nd)

Don’t use a home monitoring kit or app to check your baby’s heartbeat. It may give you a false impression of your baby’s wellbeing. Your doctor or midwife can listen to your baby’s heartbeat more accurately.

If your baby is moving less, it could be a sign that he's not getting enough nutrients or oxygen through the placenta (CRES 2017, Linde et al 2016, RCOG 2011, 2019). There may be other clues that your baby is at risk, such as if he's measuring small-for-dates or if you've had a complication before (CRES 2017, Dutton et al 2012).

Either way, you're likely to be referred to a maternal or fetal assessment unit, or birth unit in hospital. Here, you and your baby will receive care from a team of midwives and doctors.

They’ll monitor your baby's heartbeat, and may offer you a scan to measure your baby's size and the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding him (CRES 2017, RCOG 2011, 2019).

If there are any concerns about your baby’s growth, your caregiver will carry out an ultrasound scan and check the flow of blood to and from your baby (CRES 2017).

Happily, in most cases, such checks reveal that all is well, and your baby is healthy (RCOG 2011, 2019). If this is the case, you'll be sent home, and you’ll need to continue to be aware of your baby's movements.

If you notice reduced movements again, call your midwife, doctor or maternity unit immediately, no matter how many times it’s happened before (RCOG 2011, 2019). If your doctor or midwife has any concerns, or if your baby's movements continue to decrease, he’ll need extra monitoring (RCOG 2011).

More information:

• Learn more about how your baby's movements will feel week by week.
• Is it normal for it to hurt when your baby kicks? Our expert has the answer.
• Learn how your baby's movements may feel different towards the end of pregnancy.
• Can your baby's kicks and jabs tell you how he's lying in your uterus?