When Can You Feel Baby Moving?
Congratulations! You’re about to embark on an amazing journey as a parent and one of the most exciting parts of this journey is feeling your little one’s movements for the first time. But when can you feel baby moving?
First Trimester
Most pregnant women won’t be able to feel their baby’s movements until the second trimester, however, some lucky moms may experience quite strong movements as early as week 12-14. During the first trimester, the baby’s movements tend to feel more like a fluttering than anything else, similar to the feeling of gas bubbles.
Second Trimester
During the second trimester, you should begin to feel your baby’s movements more frequently, anywhere from 16 weeks and on. It’s common for mommies to mistakenly believe that these movements are caused by gas bubbles, however, if you’re experiencing consistent movements, this is usually your little one.
Third Trimester
By the time you’ve reached the third trimester, your little one should be kicking and punching strong enough for you to feel it. You might even feel it through your clothes! One particular moment that you should be especially aware of is anytime you eat sugar. As soon as that sugar enters your bloodstream, your little one will kick and punch a lot in response to that sudden boost in energy.
When to Worry
In general, as your pregnancy progresses, you should feel your baby’s movements at least 10 times every two hours. Don’t worry if his movements are reduced or temporarily stop as this is completely normal. However, if at anytime you don’t feel your baby moving for more than 12 hours, you should reach out to your doctor immediately.
During the entire pregnancy and especially during the 3rd trimester, you should be aware of your little one’s movements. It’s usually easier to feel his movements when you’re relaxing in an upright position. And although it might take a while for you to be able to tell the difference between kicks and punches, you’ll eventually get the hang of it.
Conclusion
Feeling your baby’s movements is an incredibly exciting moment for every mommy. Most pregnant women will not be able to feel their baby until the second trimester, but some lucky moms may start to feel their baby as early as week 12-14. It’s very important to be aware of your little one’s movements throughout the pregnancy, and to reach out to your physician if you notice any drastic changes.