In this article:
Learn more about your baby's movements, including how they evolve and change as they grow in utero, and how to recognise your baby's movement patterns throughout time.
When Should You Start Feeling Foetal Movement?
According to Dr Arun Jadhav, you should start to feel your baby move about weeks 18 to 22 of your pregnancy, while it can happen at any point between 14 and 26 weeks. A baby's movements in pregnancy may feel like kicks, flutters, swishes, rolls, or a combination of the aforementioned.How Frequently Should Your Baby Move In Utero?
There is no predetermined number of movements you should feel every day because each baby is unique. You should feel movement every day in the third trimester, starting around week 28 and lasting until the conclusion of your pregnancy.It's critical to learn what's normal for your baby, which usually becomes obvious between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy.
You'll start counting kicks every day during week 28 until your baby is born. Foetal movements should not change considerably from day to day or as the pregnancy progresses, but there will be more regular sleep and wake cycles in the third trimester.
Foetal Movement Changes Throughout Pregnancy
Foetal movements are unique to each individual and baby. Some babies continuously push the boundaries of their comfortable surroundings, while others sit back and relax until their debut.All babies in utero move every day, and parents should become acquainted with what to expect in the womb as the third trimester begins.
Some variations and evolutions in foetal movement as your pregnancy proceeds are typical, while others raise concerns. So, how can you tell the difference?
During the second trimester
When you feel the first flutters of foetal movement (typically around month 5 or weeks 18 to 22 of pregnancy, but it can occur earlier or later), they may feel like butterflies, twitches, nudges, or even hunger pangs.Once you can feel them, their motions will become more acrobatic and their fists more powerful as their muscles strengthen.
By the sixth month of pregnancy, leg motions grow more frequent and appear to be noticeable. You might notice more regular pitter-patters on their little feet, though a more distinct pattern may not emerge until late in the second trimester or early in the third.
During the third trimester
At 7 months pregnant, your baby still tosses and turns, though it may feel different now that they are growing bigger and stronger. While the punches, kicks, jabs, and rolls are reassuring, they can be rather forceful.As your baby gains weight in month 8, your womb expands. But this is to be expected, and your uterus continues to expand to accommodate your growing baby.
You should continue to feel movements every day, which may consist of writhing and turning with occasional jabs of elbows and knees. By this point, you'll be familiar with your baby's particular daily movement patterns.
By month 9, your baby has reached full weight and length and will soon make an appearance in the world. Those kicks may feel more like larger lurches and movements (like when the baby flips over).
Beginning at about week 28, your doctor will instruct you to count your baby's kicks every day until you give birth. It's usually a good idea to schedule a kick count in the morning and again in the evening (even more frequently in month 9).
You want to count 10 different types of foetal movements (kicks, swishes, rolls, and so on) and clock how long it takes to reach that total. If you don't feel 10 movements in one to two hours (or the usual length of time it takes to count to ten), call your doctor or go to the hospital's maternity ward to ensure everything is well.
If your baby's regular kick patterns noticeably diminish or increase, consult your practitioner or go to the hospital immediately.
Reasons For Normal Foetal Movement Changes And Decrement
Once you've felt your baby's first kicks, you'll understand the regular rhythm of your little one in gestation. The foetal movement will change throughout pregnancy for a variety of reasons, including:You've been quite active
The gentle rocking motion of mothers' daily movements is said to lull newborns to sleep. You could perhaps be too busy to notice any jiggles in there.You just had sex
While some babies become quite active following intercourse, others are lulled to sleep by the repetitive uterine contractions associated with orgasm. Both reactions are quite typical. As long as your doctor has not advised you otherwise, sex during pregnancy is safe.Your infant is still too small to feel regularly
During the second trimester, it can be difficult to feel your baby's kicks and rolls. Your baby may appear to be an acrobat one minute and in hibernation the next. You may go for hours or even days without feeling foetal movement.Because your baby is still fairly small, it's easy to overlook movements. Because babies are typically most active at night, you may sleep through the majority of the commotion.
Call your doctor or go to the maternity ward for a checkup. While you're waiting to be seen, try some short baby kick tricks to urge them to liven up in there; but, if they don't work (they're not infallible), contact your practitioner or on-call doctor.
Your baby has grown bigger, and the movements feel different
As the weeks pass, what began as butterfly-like flutters (which might occasionally be mistaken for gas or belly butterflies) become more intense.By the third trimester, your baby has gotten significantly bigger. Your uterus has stretched, so there is still room for movement, but it is not the kicks and pokes you are used to. Instead, you'll probably feel more twists, wiggles, stretches, and spins, though the sensations will vary depending on the pregnancy.
Your infant is napping
By the third trimester, your baby in utero will have regular sleep and wake cycles. Foetuses, like newborns, experience profound sleep interludes (which, however, do not always occur while sleeping).Your baby may be more awake when you are trying to sleep and sleepy when you are active. This means that there will be lulls during the day, and times when they are kicking joyfully in there.
You just want to make sure you feel movement every day, especially in the third trimester and ninth month (as well as during labour), because baby kicks should not stop or slow down as the pregnancy continues. Hiccups do not count!
Your baby's head is engaged with your pelvis
When the baby "drops," you may experience greater rolls, along with every movement of the baby's head on the cervix, which may feel like strong electric twinges down there. When everything is fine, you will continue to feel the baby move every day.Reasons For An Extremely Active Baby In Utero
Your baby is small enough in the second trimester (and even at the start of the third) to dance, somersault, and kickbox. The good news is that an active baby typically indicates a healthy infant. It's their way of exercising and strengthening their muscles and bones. A very active baby in the womb does not necessarily imply that they will be active when they arrive.However, babies should not suddenly increase their movements because this can indicate something is amiss, especially in the late stages of pregnancy. If you notice a significant increase in foetal movement, contact your doctor right away.
To check your baby's heartbeat, do not use handheld monitors, home Dopplers, or phone apps. They are not as accurate or dependable as those used in doctors' offices and hospitals.
When To Worry About Foetal Activity?
In most circumstances, fluctuations in your baby's movement are normal during pregnancy, and a temporary calm spell may indicate that your baby is napping. However, if you see a substantial rise or reduction in foetal movement from day to day, or any other alteration in your baby's regular movement patterns, this could indicate a more serious problem.In rare situations, a rapid visible drop in foetal movement may be linked to:
The amniotic fluid level is low
Approximately 4% of pregnant women develop oligohydramnios, or low amniotic fluid, usually late in the third trimester. While most people with this condition have no obvious symptoms and have perfectly healthy pregnancies, some may detect a sudden and dramatic decline in foetal activity. Call your doctor or visit the hospital's maternity unit to be monitored. There is a potential you'll have to deliver your baby early.Too much amniotic fluid
Hydramnios, or an excess of amniotic fluid, is identified in around one per cent of pregnancies. It is particularly common in mothers who are expecting multiples or have poorly controlled diabetes. Sometimes the extra cushion makes it difficult to feel foetal movements. It can also cause discomfort in the belly or chest due to an abnormally big uterus. While most occurrences do not result in symptoms, if hydramnios is severe, your doctor and/or hospital practitioners will need to monitor you.Foetal distress
A baby's oxygen supply can be disrupted before or during labour, resulting in a considerable and abrupt slowing of movement. (Your water may also rupture and become soiled with meconium, or the baby's first faeces.) Sustained oxygen deprivation usually necessitates urgent delivery, typically via C-section.Because these conditions necessitate monitoring and possibly treatment to ensure your baby's health and safety, it's critical to contact your doctor right away if you don't feel 10 movements within two hours during the third trimester, or in the normal amount of time it takes to count 10 movements.
Your doctor will most likely want to get a clearer look at what's going on inside with a foetal nonstress test or biophysical profile, which checks your baby's movements and heart rate to verify everything is fine.
Otherwise, as long as you feel frequent movement and your kick counts are consistent, it makes little difference what type of movement you have. So relax and enjoy the ride. Those baby motions that have been keeping you awake at night will soon become more real as your baby stretches and kicks in your arms.
FAQs on Changes or Decreases in Foetal Movement
- Can changes in foetal movement indicate a problem with my pregnancy?
Not necessarily. Your baby's activity levels may fluctuate during the day (for example, while sleeping). As your baby grows, you may notice a shift in movement patterns from frantic acrobatics to gentler rolls and stretches. However, a substantial decrease in total foetal movement may indicate a problem, so consult your doctor if you are concerned about your baby's movements. - When should I get concerned about foetal movement changes?
To be safe, call your doctor immediately if you don't see 10 kicks within two hours. Also, contact if you detect a major rise or reduction in foetal movement from day to day, as well as any other changes in your baby's regular movement patterns. Your healthcare provider can confirm that everything is fine.
