What should my baby moving feel like? (trigger warning )
‘MINE IS A breakdancer,’
‘Aww I could feel my little bundle of joy kick just then,’
‘I’m definitely birthing a Cirque du Soleil baby - total acrobat’
Ever heard another mum-to-be be say one of these or something similar? Did it make you feel like a bit of a fraud because it’s super early days for you and you’re not really feeling much at all?
Feeling your baby move is a sign that they are developing, and well - and it doesn’t happen from the get-go!
Experiencing your baby moving inside you for the first time is one of those intense and amazing emotional moments that you will savour forever. Or you might just wonder what on earth was going on! There’s no right or wrong.
And, lovely, it would be reckless of me to talk about this without mentioning what to do IF you notice a reduction in your baby’s movement, and please know that even if that happens, there is plenty you can do if you act early. We will touch very gently on stillbirth within this article because it gives you the knowledge to help prevent it where possible, and for you to speak with knowledge to any of your loved ones who are pregnant and experiencing any reduction in movement. I have shared useful resources at the end of this blog.
For now let’s talk about baby’s dancing in the womb!
Two things to remember:
1) One person’s ‘that was a massive kick’ is another person’s tiny tickle; 100% subjective
2) You’re unlikely (no matter how much you want to!) to feel anything move (other than light cramps) until you’re around 20 weeks (for a first time mum) or 16-24 weeks (after your first). As you can see it varies! It’s unusual to not feel your baby move at all by 24 weeks, and if that’s the case call your midwife now and they can check on your baby’s wellbeing and offer reassurance.
Most women start to feel some movement around 18 to 20 weeks and that will increase up to around 32 weeks before levelling off, although the types of movement may change (due to growth and available space). Your baby is NOT expected to move less as you reach full term so if you notice a difference seek reassurance.
Words often used to describe a baby’s movement in the womb:
Fluttering
Flickering
Twizzling (my personal favourite!)
Kicking
Jerking
Swishing
Swirling
Rolling
There is no set number of movements your baby is expected to make in a day. The NHS advises that what’s important is that you get to know your baby’s usual movements, notice and follow up with your midwife if there is a change.
In the early days when you first feel your baby moving inside that sensation might not be sensed by anyone else putting a hand on your belly. In time that will change too as your baby’s limbs strengthen. A midwife can arrange for an ultrasound if you have concerns.
It’s never wrong to seek reassurance. You are NOT BOTHERING anyone or taking up time that someone else needs more. You and your baby are important. If you have been feeling lots of movement from your baby and this stops or reduces always call your midwife.
“ “Most women who experience one episode of reduction in their baby’s movements have a straightforward pregnancy and go on to have a healthy baby,””
It is important to check out any irregularities because often IF A BABY MOVES LESS THAN THEIR NORM, it’s because they are unwell or in distress.
When a baby is getting less oxygen or nutrients in the womb, they will often reduce movement to conserve energy, so it’s important to speak to your midwife or a healthcare professional who can help as soon as possible.
And trust that there will be times that you may be less aware of your baby’s movements:
When you are active or busy (you’re paying less attention). I regularly find that babies waken up and get active when mums are in their final relaxation at prenatal yoga. As mum’s body relaxes baby often gets jiggy.
If your placenta is at the front of your womb you may not feel so much movement
If your baby’s back is to the front of your uterus you may feel fewer movements than if their back is lying alongside yours
When your baby is asleep you will not feel them move much
All of these are plausible explanations as to why your baby might be moving less, and whenever you notice your baby’s movements have slowed down, stopped, or changed speak to your midwife or maternity unit to seek reassurance, often, just as when you go to the doctor with a cough, your cough goes away and your baby starts to move again, but if you have ANY reason to be concerned please follow through and trust that you are doing the right thing for you and your baby.
““At first it was like a tiny tickle inside me, as if someone was stroking my insides like a feather; it was weird but lovely at the same time then as I got bigger it was like a full on punch - friendly but powerful!”
“It was a standing joke in our house that whenever my baby was kicking I’d call my husband to come and feel and as soon as he put his hand on my belly it’d stop”
“By the end I could feel the heel of my baby’s foot pressing and wriggling against me. I could hold it in the palm of my hand and push it back in””
Your baby will NOT be moving all day and all night just as you also have rest periods but if you notice a change in your baby’s usual movements seek reassurance.
Nobody wants to hear the word stillbirth when they’re pregnant, but please be comforted by the little known fact that only around 10% of stillbirths are thought to be caused by a fatal congenital abnormality; there is the potential to save up to 90% of stillborn babies if advice and help is sought in time. Up to 50% of mums who had a stillborn baby reported that they had noticed a slowing down in their baby’s movement. If you notice it, speak out and seek follow-up - hopefully you’ll be back home in no time with all the reassurance you need.
If you need help or support right now speak to your midwife, and if you are simply keen to learn more about reduced foetal movement for your own info in case you ever need it check out Kicks Count.
