Pregnancy

When Will The Baby Move?

Fetal movements are a sort of mystery fascinating people since the most distant ancient times, but there is no official report or detailed research that can guarantee an accurate date or time in which your baby will start to move, because even the physicians have contradictory opinions.

Most women can feel fetal movements as soon as they occur, but quickening seems to occur more often when week 18 begins for first time mothers-to-be. Pregnant women who have already carried a child to term usually can feel the baby's movement earlier, because they know exactly what it feels like.

Generally speaking, the baby will move at any given moment between weeks 16 to 20 or 22, and generally, all will start with a kick. Although your baby's arms and legs are developed and begin moving much earlier, kicking occurs when the baby is stronger, during the second trimester.

Some mothers-to-be describe the fetal movement like a little mouse, which is tumbling around in the lower abdomen, but the experience, and feeling is unique from woman to woman and from pregnancy to pregnancy. However, quickening is the term to describe the woman's sensing of her baby's movement.

Quickening can be described as "butterflies in the stomach", a fluttering type movement accompanied by a tapping or tickling sensation, until the baby is stronger to perform the unmistakable kicking movement. The activity of every baby is different from one to another.

While some babies seem to be very active, others are not so you should not have any worries if you baby is not kicking you all the time. After your feel the baby's movement for the first time, it is usual to notice his/her movement some days and not some days. The baby is always moving, but you may not feel the movements until those movements get stronger to be felt every day.

Furthermore, quickening is typically affected by the mother's activity level, time of day, sleep and sound. Many obstetricians recommend keeping track of your baby's movement during the third trimester, counting those movements at the same time each day, picking the hour when the baby seems to be more active.

It is easier to count your baby's movements while lying on your side. Counting should be at least 10 movements within 2 hours, starting on week 28. If you cannot feel those 10 movements or there are fewer, call your health care practitioner immediately, the same if the baby's movements are slower, taking longer and longer each day to reach the minimum amount of activity.