When do you start feeling movement during pregnancy

You will probably become aware of your baby's movements between 16 and 24 weeks of pregnancy.

You may feel a fluttering or a rolling sensation in your tummy. A baby's movements can be described as anything from a kick, flutter, swish or roll. The type of movement may change as your pregnancy progresses. Most babies settle into a pattern by 24 weeks.

Important

Talk to your midwife, obstetrician or maternity hospital immediately if you are worried about your baby's movements. Do not wait until the next day to get advice.

If movements change, reduce or stop, it can sometimes be the first sign that your baby is unwell. Around half of women who have had a stillbirth noticed that their baby's movements had slowed down or stopped.

How often should my baby move?

There is no set number of movements that is normal. Every baby is different. You need to become aware of what is normal for your baby. Your baby will have their own pattern of movements that you will get to know.

From 16 to 24 weeks on, you should feel your baby move more and more up until 32 weeks. From 32 onwards the movements stay roughly the same until you give birth.

If your baby stops moving or moves less often

Your baby's movements are important, because feeling your baby move is a sign they are well. If movements reduce or stop, it can sometimes be the first sign that your baby is unwell.

Important

If you do not feel your baby moving, talk to your GP or midwife. Even if this happens many times, get checked each time.

Do not use home dopplers

Using a home doppler (heartbeat monitor) or an app is not recommended and should never replace getting checked by your doctor or midwife.

Babies do not move less towards the end of pregnancy

It is not true that babies move less towards the end of pregnancy. You should continue to feel your baby moving throughout the pregnancy.

Important

If your baby's movements happen less often, contact your maternity unit or midwife immediately. Do not wait until tomorrow.

When do you start feeling movement during pregnancy
This project has received funding from the Government of Ireland’s Sláintecare Integration Fund 2019 under Grant Agreement Number 8.

Page last reviewed: 26 March 2018
Next review due: 26 March 2021

Some moms can feel their baby move as early as 13-16 weeks from the start of their last period. These first fetal movements are called quickening and are often described as flutters. It may be difficult to determine whether this feeling is gas or your baby’s movements, but soon you will begin to notice a pattern. First-time moms may not feel these first fetal movements as early as second-time moms.

Some moms, especially those in their first pregnancy, may not feel movement until 18-20 weeks. Remember that each woman and every pregnancy is different, so you may not feel movement as early as another woman. There is a broad range of when the first detection of movement can be felt, ranging from 13-25 weeks.

Why does my baby move?

As your baby is continuing to develop he/she will stretch and flex his/her limbs. As you get further along in your pregnancy, you will begin to feel more obvious movements, such as kicking, punching, and rolling. Your baby may also move as he/she responds to noise or to your emotions.

If your baby finds a position you are in to be uncomfortable, he/she may also begin to squirm. Certain foods you eat can also cause your baby to be more active, and you may notice he/she follows a sleeping/waking cycle.

When do you start feeling movement during pregnancy

How often should my baby move?

As you get further along in your pregnancy, you will need to keep track of how often your baby moves each day. Sometime in the third trimester, you may notice your baby’s movements are more frequent and vigorous and occur in a regular pattern.

However, although movements are still regular, they may change towards the end of the third trimester because the baby is bigger and more restricted in the uterus. Talk with your doctor, if you notice a  decrease in your baby’s movements.

Beginning with week 28, it is beneficial to begin counting your baby’s movements. This will help you to identify potential problems and can also be a great bonding experience between you and your baby. Using a kick count chart can be very helpful.

When counting your baby’s movements choose the same time each day. It may be easiest to lie on your left side and record how long it takes to feel 10 movements. For further information about recording movements see kick counts.

What should I do if I don’t feel my baby moving?

If you have been keeping a chart of your baby’s movements and you notice a significant deviation in the pattern, contact your health care provider. If you do not feel 10 movements within 2 hours, try again later that day.

If you still do not feel 10 movements within 2 hours, you should contact your healthcare provider.

Want to Know More?

  • Fetal Life app: count kicks, track vital signs, sign up for remote nurse monitoring
  • Pregnancy Nutrition
  • Cord Blood Banking
  • Nightfood Nighttime Ice Cream: the Official Pregnancy Ice Cream of the American Pregnancy Association

Compiled using information from the following sources:

1. Count the Kicks. (n.d.). What are my baby’s movements week-by-week

What do first baby movements feel like?

Quickening is when a pregnant person starts to feel their baby's movement in their uterus (womb). It feels like flutters, bubbles or tiny pulses.

Can u feel flutters at 12 weeks?

It's bigger and increasingly active by the end of the fourth month. But occasionally women feel movement as early as 12 weeks. If your friend is thin, extra perceptive, on a second or higher pregnancy, a bit off in their timing, or carrying a rambunctious baby, they may well be feeling those flutters.

How early in pregnancy can you feel it move?

When will I feel my baby moving? You will start to feel your baby moving between 16 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. The location of your placenta will not affect this sensation. It is more common for women having their second or subsequent pregnancies to feel their baby move earlier.

Can you feel flutters at 13 weeks?

Baby flutters during early pregnancy Seasoned moms may feel movement as early as 13 weeks. If you're feeling anything fluttering down in your tummy around this time, it's possible that your baby is grooving around in there. Baby's kicks are also called quickening.