Patient education: Your baby's movement before birth (The Basics)

When should I start feeling my baby move? — It depends. Most people first feel their baby moving in the uterus between about 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. It might take longer to feel movement if this is your first pregnancy or if the placenta is in the front of your uterus.

What kinds of movements should I feel? — When you first feel your baby move, it might feel like a gentle flutter in your belly. This is sometimes called "quickening." As the baby grows, their movements will get stronger. You will probably feel them kicking, rolling, and stretching. Later in pregnancy, you might be able to see and feel the baby moving from the outside.

You might notice that your baby is more active at certain times of the day or night. Even before birth, babies have periods of being asleep and awake. When your baby is sleeping, you might notice that they do not move as much.

Should I keep track of my baby's movements? — If your pregnancy is healthy, you probably do not need to count or record your baby's movements. Feeling regular movement is a good sign that the baby is doing well.

In some cases, your doctor or midwife might ask you to keep track of your baby's movements. If so, they will tell you how to do this and when to call them.

A change in your baby's movements does not always mean that there is a problem. But in some cases, it can be a sign that the baby is having trouble. If your doctor or midwife is concerned, they can do tests to check on the baby.

If I am asked to track movement, how should I do it? — There are different ways of tracking your baby's movement. This is sometimes called "kick counting."

Your doctor or midwife will tell you exactly what to track. For example, they might ask you to write down:

●How long it takes to feel 10 kicks or movements

●How many times your baby moves in 1 hour

Many experts consider at least 10 movements in 2 hours to be a sign that the baby is doing well. But there is no specific cutoff for exactly how much movement is healthy or unhealthy. Some babies are more active than others, and some pregnant people feel movement more easily than others. The main goal of kick counting is to get to know your baby's normal patterns so you can tell if anything changes.

If you are doing kick counting:

●Choose a time of day when your baby is usually active.

●Find a quiet place where you will not be distracted.

●Lie down on your side in a comfortable position.

●Check the clock, or set a timer.

●Each time you feel your baby move or kick, write down the time. Some people use a smartphone app to keep track.

●If your baby seems less active than usual, try moving around, eating a snack, and emptying your bladder. This can help wake the baby up if they are asleep.

●Stop counting after you have felt 10 kicks, or after the length of time your doctor or midwife told you.

When should I call the doctor? — Call your doctor or midwife for advice if:

●You have concerns about your baby's movement.

●Your baby is moving less than they normally do.

●You notice a sudden change in the pattern of your baby's movements.

●You have any other symptoms that worry you.

More on this topic

Patient education: Prenatal care (The Basics)
Patient education: Activity during pregnancy (The Basics)