When Can You Feel Baby Moving?
As your pregnancy progresses, one of the fun milestones is feeling your baby move. For most pregnant people, this typically occurs between 16 and 25 weeks of gestation. Here’s what you need to know about when you can expect to feel your baby move during pregnancy.
First Movements
The first movements you may feel from your baby are called quickening. These are sensations similar to butterflies or gas bubbles that occur and can be felt anywhere between 16 and 25 weeks gestation. Women with first pregnancies may begin to feel these movements earlier than women with subsequent pregnancies.
Patterns of Movement
It takes time to learn the unique patterns of how your baby moves. Generally speaking, movements become more frequent as pregnancy progresses, peaking at around 32 weeks pregnancy. You may find that your baby is most active when you’re calming and still, as well as during the evening.
Reasons to Contact Your Care Provider
It’s important to become familiar with your baby’s movement patterns. If you notice that the movement becomes less frequent or stops altogether, contact your care provider right away. Decreased fetal movement can be an indicator of decreased oxygen and nutritional supply and could be a sign of umbilical cord abnormalities, intrauterine growth restriction or a number of other worrisome fetal conditions.
Setting Up a Baby Movement Journal
You can talk to other pregnant people about how your baby’s movements feel and how often they occur. It can also be helpful to set up a baby movement journal as a way to track your baby’s movements. This can help you keep track of any changes in your baby’s movements, which can be useful information for your care provider.
Reaching Out for Support
If you’re concerned about your baby’s movement, reach out to your midwife or doctor. They can provide guidance and support and can refer you to an ultrasound to further assess your baby’s wellbeing.
Conclusion
Being aware of your baby’s movements is an important part of monitoring their health during pregnancy. Most people begin to feel their baby move around 16 to 25 weeks of gestation. As your pregnancy progresses, take note of any patterns of your baby’s movement or changes in these patterns, and reach out for support if you’re ever concerned.