When Can You Feel Your Baby Moving?
Pregnancy is an exciting journey for any expecting mother, including special moments where you can feel your baby beginning to move inside of your womb. These sensations can vary from feeling like butterflies in your stomach to light stroking motions. This article will explore when you can expect to feel your baby’s movements and how they will feel throughout your pregnancy.
When do You Feel Your Baby Moving?
The answer to this question differs depending on the individual, as well as the individual pregnancy. Generally speaking, you can expect to feel your baby’s movements as early as around 16-22 weeks. Women who have already been pregnant will be more likely to feel their baby move earlier on, since they know what the sensation feels like. Furthermore, if you are a petite woman or your body is naturally lean, you may have a better chance of feeling your baby move sooner.
Types of Movements
Once you begin feeling your baby move, the sensations and intensity of the movements will vary throughout your pregnancy. Initially, the movements may feel like small flutters or gas bubbles in your stomach. As the months go by, you will start feeling more active movements such as kicks, punches, and hiccups.
Increasing Movement
As you near your third trimester, you may start to feel more intense movements as your baby grows bigger. You may also notice that your baby is more active when you have certain foods or when you move around.
When to Contact Your Doctor?
It’s important to report any changes in movements to your doctor, as this could be an indication of a possible issue. Some symptoms to look out for include:
- Routine of Movement: If your baby’s movements begin to slow down suddenly or change to an erratic pattern, this could be a sign of distress.
- Duration of Movement: For most women, 10 movements within an hour is considered normal. If you notice your baby is moving for longer or shorter periods of time, contact your doctor.
- Quantity of Movement: It’s normal to feel your baby kicking or rolling around up to several times a day. However, if these sensations are noticeably declining, it’s best to seek medical advice.
Your doctor can administer a series of tests to ensure that your baby is healthy and safe.
Conclusion
Feeling your baby move is an exciting part of the pregnancy journey, however it’s important to be aware of any changes in movements that can indicate a potential issue. If you notice any changes in patterns or frequency of movements, contact your doctor immediately.