When do I feel the first movements?
Usually, this moment occurs between week 16 and week 25 of pregnancy. The interval between movements depends on many factors: the size of the child, the weight of the expectant mother, individual sensitivity, and physical activity of the mother and baby.
The movements are easier for the expectant mother to feel at rest. If she is active and leads a busy lifestyle, it’s more difficult to feel these tremors. If this is your first pregnancy, you may feel the first movements 2–3 weeks later than women who have experience giving birth. Many expectant mothers attribute the first sensations to spasms in the intestines or abdomen. During their second or subsequent pregnancies, some women begin to feel wiggling as early as 13 weeks.
What do the movements feel like?
It can be difficult to tell exactly what you are feeling at first. Is the baby moving or is it just gas in the stomach? These two sensations are very similar. Some mothers describe the first movements as a butterfly fluttering in the stomach, but in reality, the movements resemble slight pulsations that occur in one or another part of the abdomen. By the second and third trimesters, your baby's movements will become more distinct and you can feel light bumps, jolts, and head pressure.
How often should the baby move?
In the early stages of pregnancy, you may feel a slight flutter from time to time. Sometimes this will happen several times a day, but periods of "silence" for 2–3 days are normal. As the baby grows—typically towards the end of the second trimester—the tremors will become stronger and more frequent. Research shows that by the third trimester, your baby changes position about 30 times an hour! However, the mother only feels the movements when the baby touches the walls of the uterus. Babies in the abdomen are also asleep and awake, so it is normal if the baby is active for several hours followed by a lull of activity. Usually, the period of activity falls between 9 pm and 1 am. This spike inactivity is associated with changes in blood sugar levels. Babies can also respond to the mother’s sounds, activity, and posture.
Do I need to track my baby's activity?
It is not necessary to keep a diary of observations unless it is recommended by your doctor. If the activity of the baby is approximately the same every day (with a gradual increase in movements), everything is fine. There is no scientifically proven connection between the degree of activity of the baby and his or her well-being. However, if it makes you feel better, you can record when and how your baby moves. Pick a time when your child is most active (often right after you eat). Get into a comfortable position, sit in an easy chair, or lie on your side. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends marking the time it takes for the baby to complete 10 movements. If it takes between one and two hours, everything is just fine.
If you do not feel 10 movements in two hours, or if the baby is moving too actively, it is worth consulting with your doctor. There is no reason to panic! It is most likely just an individual feature or a confluence of factors—for example, you moved a lot or were stressed that day.
I don't feel any movement. What should I do?
If the gestation period is less than 25 weeks, and the doctor hears the baby's heartbeat and sees no problem with the ultrasound, there is no reason for worry. Some babies simply move less than others.
Lack of movement can also mean that the child is asleep. The intensity of movements begins to decrease after the 32 nd week as the child grows and simply has nowhere to turn around.
If your child has regularly moved during the pregnancy, but suddenly you do not feel any movement for 2 or more hours as usual, then see a doctor immediately.
