The first baby movements – when can you feel them?

Parents eagerly await the first time they feel their baby move. These moments are often very emotional and play a major role in bonding between the child and the parents. For monitoring the fetus’s well-being, it is very important for the mother to observe and count her baby’s movements. But at what stage of pregnancy do you first feel movements?

How to recognize the first baby movements in the womb

Baby movements in the womb can be perceived very differently. Women who are pregnant for the first time often expect strong kicks, but the first movements usually feel more like fluttering wings. Stronger kicks, which can sometimes be uncomfortable, usually occur shortly before birth. The frequency and intensity of the movements depend, among other things, on the baby’s position in the uterus. The mother’s weight before pregnancy and her body fat percentage also influence perception – petite and slim women tend to feel the first movements earlier.

When do you feel the first movements in pregnancy?

From the 15th week of pregnancy, the baby starts to make complex arm and leg movements. However, these are usually too subtle for the mother to feel. Starting from the 16th week, the first movements may be felt, though most women notice them around the 20th week. Many compare them to intestinal movements – a light bubbling or gurgling. In subsequent pregnancies, movements are often felt earlier, between the 15th and 18th weeks. As pregnancy progresses, they become more regular and intense.

Toward the end of pregnancy, the baby grows larger and the movements become gentler again. However, they remain very important, as they are a sign of the child’s well-being and healthy development.

What do the first baby movements feel like – and are they regular?

It can be difficult to recognize the first baby movements, especially in a first pregnancy, when a woman only has an idea of what it might feel like. The best time to notice movements is when completely relaxed, such as lying on your back. This makes it easier to pick up on bodily signals.

Every baby has its own daily rhythm – some are more active in the morning, others in the evening. Movements are usually stronger after eating. The baby’s activity is a sign of healthy development and also helps the baby prepare for birth.

How does the baby move in the womb?

The baby moves its arms and legs, does somersaults, sucks its thumb, and yawns. During ultrasound scans, you can sometimes even see the baby pulling faces or smiling. 3D and 4D ultrasounds are especially popular today, allowing parents to see their baby in detail and take home souvenir photos or videos.

The baby’s activity is also assessed in the so-called Manning test (biophysical profile), which is usually done in the third trimester or after the due date. During this test, fetal breathing and general movements are analyzed via ultrasound and CTG. The goal is to assess the baby’s well-being – unusual results can indicate possible undernourishment.

A particularly active baby in the womb

After meals or during the mother’s rest periods, the baby is often particularly active. Women with less body fat often feel these movements more intensely. The baby also reacts to loud music or external stimuli with movement. The mother’s emotions can also influence the baby’s activity.

The baby does not move while sleeping – sleep phases usually last around 40 minutes and rarely more than 90 minutes. For very active babies, gentle rocking or walks can have a calming effect. Some mothers play classical music to help the baby relax – from around the 25th week, the fetus responds to external sounds.

How to count baby movements before birth

Especially in the second half of pregnancy, it’s very important to count the baby’s movements daily. This allows the mother to monitor the baby’s well-being herself at home. The best time to count is one hour after eating or when the baby is most active – lying on the left side. If the mother feels fewer than four movements in an hour, she should count for another hour.

Some guidelines recommend counting until ten movements are felt – this is known as the Cardiff method. Movements are counted between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. This routine should be repeated daily until ten movements are perceived. A special movement chart can also be helpful. A lack of movement up to the 22nd week of pregnancy should definitely be checked by a doctor.

In which month do you feel the baby kicking?

For the baby to actively kick or press against the uterus, it needs to have reached a certain size and strength – this usually happens from the 26th week, around the end of the 6th month. The expectant mother then feels more distinct movements, sometimes an unpleasant stretching or jabs in certain areas of the belly. Sometimes the baby presses a hand or foot against the abdominal wall – this phenomenon is quite common among pregnant women. Seeing this for the first time is an unforgettable experience for many parents.

By the end of pregnancy, although the baby’s movements are gentler, they are very noticeable due to the lack of space. Many expectant mothers find them uncomfortable or even painful.

How to stimulate baby movements

• Tapping and talking: If the baby kicks, you can gently tap back. Talking is also a good idea – although the baby doesn’t understand language yet, they can recognize it by the end of the third trimester.
• Rocking and playing music: Music played through headphones or a speaker on the belly can help the baby get used to external sounds. The mother’s movements also encourage activity, while calm movements signal rest time.
• Eating sweets and laughing: A higher blood sugar level can make the baby more active – but sweets should only be eaten in moderation. Laughing also increases circulation, which in turn can stimulate baby movements. During an ultrasound, a mother’s laughter can even intensify the baby’s movements.

FAQ:

In which week can you feel the baby?
The first movements – like bubbling, tickling, or a flowing sensation – can be felt from around the 16th week, but more commonly between the 18th and 22nd week.

When are movements visible from the outside?
Between the 7th and 8th month of pregnancy, when the baby kicks strongly or moves vigorously in the uterus, these movements can also be seen from the outside.

Where are the first movements felt?
This depends on the baby’s position and the location of the placenta, but they are most commonly felt low in the abdomen, just above the underwear line.