Your baby's first movements: when and how you will feel them

Your baby actually starts moving much earlier, but is simply too small for you to feel it. The moment you notice the first flutter is, for many people, one of the most memorable of the whole pregnancy.

When are the first movements felt?

Most people notice the first movements somewhere between weeks 16 and 25. The range is wide, and all of it is usual. If you have given birth before, you often recognise the movements a little earlier because you know what to look for. In a first pregnancy, noticing them after week 18–20 is more common.

The position of the placenta, body build, the structure of the abdominal wall and even how busy your day is can change when you notice them. Feeling nothing at week 17 is not, on its own, a sign of a problem.

What does it feel like?

The first movements are usually described as lighter than a kick:

• A feeling like bubbles popping inside the belly
• A flutter, like tiny wings
• A sensation similar to a gut movement, but somehow different
• A light nudge or a gentle slide

At first you may mistake it for gas or hunger. After a few days of the same feeling coming back, you become sure. As weeks go by, movements grow stronger and kicks, elbows and even rhythmic hiccup jumps become clear.

How do movements change over time?

Towards the end of the second trimester, movements get more frequent and stronger. They can sometimes be felt from outside, and your partner may catch a first kick against their hand. Your baby has sleep and wake cycles. The baby may be rocked to sleep while you move around and become active when you rest, which is why many people notice movements more in the evening or when lying down.

In the third trimester there is less room, so the style of movement changes: fewer somersaults, more stretches, pushes and rolls. What matters is not the strength but the presence of movement and your own baby's usual pattern.

When does kick counting begin?

Most guidelines suggest paying regular attention to movements from about week 28. The goal is not to monitor your baby, but to get to know the usual rhythm. One method is to sit comfortably or lie on your side and count movements; your doctor or midwife will explain which measure to use. The kick counter in the app can help you keep this record.

Every baby has their own rhythm. Instead of comparing, learning how your baby behaves on ordinary days is the most useful information you can have.

What you can do

• Take a calm break during the day; lie on your side and put a hand on your belly.
• For some people a cold drink or a light snack makes movements more noticeable.
• Note the hours when movements are strongest; this is your baby's usual pattern.
• Do not hesitate to ask about movements at check-ups.
• In later weeks, do not brush aside the feeling that your baby has hardly moved today.

When to contact your doctor

• If you notice a clear decrease or stop in movements that used to be regular, do not wait until the next day; contact your doctor or your maternity unit the same day.
• If you have reached weeks 24–25 and have not felt any movement, ask at your next appointment or get in touch earlier.
• If movements are accompanied by bleeding, fluid leakage, severe abdominal pain, or a fall or blow to the belly, call 112 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency department.

This article is for information only; for your own baby's pattern, the advice of your doctor or midwife comes first.