Awareness About Baby's Movements in Pregnancy

Feeling your baby move for the first time is a magical moment. What begins as a barely perceptible flutter quickly turns into a full-on kick as your little one starts to make her presence felt and by the end it can feel as if she is dancing a jig inside you. You will probably even see a foot or a hand poking out from time to time in the final pregnancy stages. Having an active bump not only works as a wonderful way to bond with your baby but it is also a good indication that all is well inside the bump. So what should you be feeling and when? Here is what to look out for with the baby’s movements in pregnancy... When will I feel my baby for the first time? If this is your first pregnancy, you will probably first feel something at around the 18 to 20 week mark, although it can be later. However, if you have already had a baby, you might start noticing that tell-tale twinge a little earlier. What does it feel like? In the first phase baby's movements in pregnancy can feel like a gentle flutter, similar to the butterflies in your tummy you get when you are nervous. By week 24, you should be feeling definite kicks as well as the dizzying squirm as she performs somersaults in all her free space. Baby is still very small so don’t panic if you go a few hours or even a couple of days with no movement. At 29 weeks, space is becoming a bit more cramped as you move through the different pregnancy stages and the movements will be smaller and more defined. The baby’s movements in pregnancy tend to tail off from week 32 and instead of the regular pummelling of tiny kicks, you will feel a big lurching movement as your baby shifts position in her cramped quarters. Getting to know your baby’s movement Once you have learnt to recognise what is a kick (and what is just trapped wind), you will begin to get to know your baby’s routine. Some become much more active at night as during the day they often are lulled off to sleep as you walk. Others get fidgety after you eat as the surge in your blood sugar gives them a rush of energy. The same can happen if you are nervous and producing adrenalin. You might even be able to recognise the regular jerky movement as your baby gets the hiccups. What if the movements stop? It is normal to not feel your baby move all the time. She will sometimes sleep or just want a rest. By week 32, your baby’s movements in pregnancy will reduce significantly as space becomes tight. However, if you notice a continuous fall in movements over several days, a big decrease in movements or think that she has stopped moving completely, contact your midwife or GP right away.