Feeling life – When and how can you feel the first fetal movements?

How does it feel when the little seed starts tumbling around in your belly – and when can you feel it?

It varies greatly from one pregnancy to another when you begin to notice the first small movements. Some feel them as early as week 13–14, while others not until week 18–22.

Several factors can affect when you first feel movement.First-time mothers often notice it later than those who have been pregnant before, as experienced mothers can recognize the sensation earlier from previous pregnancies.

If you are overweight, this can also influence when you start feeling the baby move.Having a placenta positioned on the front wall of the uterus — that is, towards your abdomen — can also make a difference.

The placenta acts as a cushion, which means you might not feel the baby’s movements until later, and even later in pregnancy it may be harder to perceive them clearly.

Once you start feeling movements, they may be irregular at first, but from around week 24, it’s important that you feel your baby move every day and several times throughout the day.

How do fetal movements feel early in pregnancy?

At first, it can feel like tiny bubbles in the belly or fluttering butterfly wings, and it’s easy to wonder whether it’s your intestines or the little baby making itself known.

It can indeed feel like gas in the stomach or intestinal movements.

The uterus still has plenty of space and the baby is still small, which is why during the first several weeks you cannot see or feel the movements from the outside of your belly.

How do fetal movements feel later in pregnancy? The movements change from the earlier sensations of bubbles or fluttering butterflies to actual kicks that you feel from the inside. This is the feeling of pressure or a jolt.

As the baby grows, the strength of the movements can be felt more clearly and even from the outside. You may notice a foot sticking out or your belly becoming noticeably lopsided.

The baby may roll and tumble around, but eventually will settle head-down in the pelvic cavity. Some babies are already head-down by week 32, but this is generally expected around week 36, which is also checked by the midwife during routine visits.

At this stage, movements often feel different. As the baby grows larger and space in the uterus becomes more limited, movements become more rolling and gliding. This can sometimes feel uncomfortable, especially if the baby moves under the ribs or jabs toward the lower abdomen.

The baby moves more than you might think.

Even from the early scans, many are surprised by how lively the little one is inside the womb. At first, the baby is so small that its movements are not strong enough to be felt. Throughout the pregnancy, your child will move far more than you can perceive, as you only notice the strongest movements. For example, the baby may drink amniotic fluid, hiccup, suck its thumb, or make various facial expressions—without you necessarily feeling it.

What does fetal movement mean?

A baby that moves is usually a sign that it is thriving. An active baby has good resources and is receiving the necessary oxygen and nutrients. Conversely, fewer movements can signal that the baby is not doing optimally. Therefore, how you perceive fetal movements is important information for assessing the baby’s well-being.

What is normal?

Babies are different and move in different ways. Some babies are very active, and you may feel them many times a day, while others are quieter, and you may notice fewer movements.

Some babies have specific patterns and move at certain times, while others have no clear pattern. The most important thing is that you are aware of feeling your baby.

Throughout the pregnancy, you will gradually get to know your baby and learn how it moves, so you can recognize what feels normal for your child. Many pregnant people notice that their baby is most active when they themselves are at rest, so movements are often felt early in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening, and at night.

Sometimes the baby may kick inward toward your spine, making it harder to feel, or if you have had a busy, stressful day, you may not have noticed movements. In the last weeks of pregnancy, the baby also sleeps longer stretches and can be harder to wake.

If you notice fewer movements

As mentioned, there are several reasons why you might not feel your baby as much. The most important thing is not to compare your baby to others or to previous pregnancies. From week 24, you should feel your baby daily, several times a day. There is no set number of movements, as it varies from baby to baby.

If you notice reduced movement, you can try:

• Drinking a cold glass of water or eating ice cream to stimulate the baby.

• Lying quietly with your hands on your belly and relaxing, gently nudging the belly.

• Paying attention for about half an hour to see if your baby begins moving as usual.

  
  

If movements are reduced, it’s a good idea to have an ultrasound to check that the baby is still active and healthy. If you notice decreased movement over several days, contact your hospital. You will be invited in, and the midwife will perform a cardiotocography (CTG).

This involves two belts on your belly with two sensors: one monitors uterine contractions, and the other monitors the baby’s heartbeat. The test usually lasts 20–30 minutes, sometimes longer. Both the ultrasound and CTG provide information about your baby’s well-being and resources.