Almost all mums await the day they feel their baby’s first kicks in the womb.
It’s like their little one is saying ‘Hello, Mummy’ for the first time.
These ‘kicks’ are known as foetal movement.
They are the first signs that your baby has grown enough to start moving around in your tummy.
But did you also know that these foetal movements could also tell you a lot about your baby’s health and wellbeing?
You may have a million questions about foetal movement, but it’s impossible to address every single one of them.
So, we’ve prepared the basics.
This way, you’ll have all the information you need the next time you feel that all too familiar kick.
When Do Foetal Movements Start?
Often called the ‘quickening‘, these are the first few movements your baby makes in the womb.
They often start around the 22nd week of pregnancy (early on in your second trimester).
Veteran mums who have had babies in the past may feel these movements much earlier (around the 16th week).
Movements early on in your pregnancy will be small and faint and you may hardly notice them at first throughout the day.
Some new mums have even mistaken foetal movements for gas or pregnancy cramps.
But don’t worry, they’ll be much more noticeable as time goes on.
What Does a Foetal Movement Feel Like?
Most women have reported feeling various different things when their baby moves.
According to this study, foetal movements reported by mums include, but are not limited to: fluttering, gurgling, tingling, buzzing, jabbing, thumping, pressing, squirming, etc.
Contrary to popular belief, when you feel your baby ‘kick’ they may not actually be kicking.
At least not most of the time.
The jabbing or pricking feeling you feel may actually be their elbow or their hand, pushing against from inside their amniotic sac.
Sometimes, it doesn’t even feel like your baby’s kicking.
Other sensations were compared to normal everyday things experienced by non-pregnant people such as heartburn, gas, spasms, wind and hiccups.
Your experience may vary depending on your baby’s specific movements.
It is also normal that you may feel some discomfort, especially if your baby kicks your ribs and stomach.
Sensations from foetal movement, especially in the pelvis or vagina is often also called ‘lightning crotch’, which is a term that you may be familiar with.
How Often Should My Baby Move While In-Vitro?
At the start of the ‘quickening phase’ your baby will only be moving a few times a day.
There is no set number of kicks you should watch out for.
But as you undergo the remainder of your pregnancy, you’ll want to pay closer attention to how many times your baby makes a movement.
Some research shows that a normal amount is 10 movements or ‘kicks’ per day, especially during the later part of pregnancy (Week 30).
Another study said that three or more movements per hour is the gold standard.
Moreover, you should generally notice an increase in this number the closer you get to your due date.
One study found that around 10 kicks every two hours or every three hours is usually the norm when delivery is imminent.
However, it’s okay if you don’t personally experience these exact numbers.
You may actually miss a few during the day—especially if you’re distracted or in a noisy place.
Should I Keep Track of My Baby’s Movement?
Your doctor may ask you to keep an official record of your baby’s foetal movements starting around Week 28 of your pregnancy until delivery.
This record is known as a ‘kick count’.
It may be on an hourly based schedule or a daily schedule.
But even if your doctor doesn’t recommend a kick count, it will be good to keep one anyway.
Sometimes doctors may ask you during a prenatal visit: ‘How many times did your baby move today?’
In general, mums should calculate their own ‘average’ kick count and use this as a way to determine whether their baby is moving or less in the coming months.
The number may be different for each baby, but it should ideally not go under the ‘10-kick’ rule especially shortly after the ‘quickening’.
Keeping a proper kick count is important for making sure your baby is healthy, because a decreasing kick count can spell trouble.
Are There Times Where Foetal Movements Are Most Active?
This question may be different for each mum and baby.
However, one study did find some factors that contribute to increased foetal movement: time of day, food consumption and mother’s activity.
They found that foetal activity increases in the evening just before bedtime and continues on throughout the night.
Babies also tended to move much more frequently after meals than before.
However, another study showed that babies showed more movement before meals or during mealtimes.
Some researchers theorise that babies move in the womb when they are hungry as a signal for their mums that it’s time to eat.
Minimal movement was associated with increased foetal activity.
Mums reported more ‘kicks’ when lying down (on the side) and sitting down (with feet elevated).
Babies in the womb may also kick and move in response to external stimuli.
One study showed that babies respond to both touch and pressure, especially when the mother strokes her belly.
Babies also respond to their mother’s voice differently.
This study showed that a maternal voice can both calm and excite a baby depending on the circumstance.
So, perhaps you can experiment to see if babies in the womb really do respond differently to your voice.
Do Babies in the Womb React to Changes in Emotion?
Yes, they do.
Several studies show that both negative and positive emotions can increase or decrease foetal movement.
One study also showed that the mother’s emotional states can also have an effect on foetal movements. Happy emotions increase movement, while sad ones decrease movement.
Studies also showed that foetal movements also increase in response to anger, stress and depression and anxiety.
These movements are often associated with fluctuating cortisol levels (your body’s stress hormone) which your baby can feel in the womb.
It’s important to note that maternal stress is highly detrimental to a baby’s health.
It can cause preterm labour, low birth weight and even neurodevelopmental and behavioural problems later in life.
So if you feel like your baby is moving more often than they should, especially because of stress, then some lifestyle changes may be needed.
What Do Specific Foetal Movements Mean?
Each baby is different and may move for different reasons as you will eventually come to find.
Research has not pinpointed any special reasons why some babies move in one way or another.
As mentioned previously, foetal movements can happen because of hunger, emotional reactions and even the mother’s own movements such as sitting down, standing up or lying down.
However, what you should be paying attention to is not the types of movements, but the frequency and strength.
Foetal movements should always increase as you go through your pregnancy and never decrease.
But the increase should be gradual and never abrupt.
Any fast, erratic movement in the womb can be a warning sign and requires immediate medical attention.
Besides that, all you need to know is that strong and frequent foetal movements are a sign of a healthy baby.
An increase in movement as you undergo your pregnancy simply means they are exercising and stretching their muscles and joints to prepare for life outside the womb.
It’s a way for your baby to remind you that their arrival is just beyond the horizon.
Is It Possible To Induce a Kick?
If you’ve learned to recognise your baby’s triggers, then, yes.
It is definitely safe to induce a foetal movement so long as it’s safe and you’re comfortable with it. Experts recommend lightly touching or stroking your belly.
Sometimes singing works too, as some babies tend to respond to their mother’s voices.
You’ve also probably seen some mums put headphones over their bellies with music playing.
This may or may not induce a foetal movement—it depends on how far along you are. Just make sure the volume isn’t too loud.
It’s important not to put too much pressure on yourself if your baby doesn’t respond to their triggers.
Sometimes your baby may be sleeping and may not move even after so many attempts to try and nudge it awake.
Your baby will kick when they feel like it, and usually when you least expect it.
What If I Can’t Feel Any Movement At All?
If you don’t feel your baby move by the 23rd or 24th week of your pregnancy, then it’s best to see your healthcare provider.
Your baby may be perfectly fine but it’s better to be safe.
If you’ve felt your baby kick, but then suddenly one day they’re not moving as frequently as before, then it’s best to go to the doctor immediately as well. Do not wait until the next day.
A reduction of foetal movement can often be a warning sign of something serious that needs to be addressed.
Some risks that may come with slow or absent foetal movement, especially during the later part of pregnancy, is stillbirth.
Mums who are overweight or those who smoke are more at risk for decreased foetal movement during pregnancy.
This is one of the reasons why keeping a ‘kick count’ is essential when it comes to pregnancy. Beyond helping you feel closer to your baby, it also helps you keep them safe and healthy.
Celebrate Your Baby’s First Kicks
The first foetal movements that a mother feels in her pregnancy is an unforgettable experience.
But it can also be a scary one.
You never know when the next kick will come, or why.
You may even be asking yourself, ‘What does my baby want?’ as he or she continues moving around while you sleep or go about your day.
But by learning exactly what you need about foetal movements, you can sail through your pregnancy with peace of mind. Knowing that each kick brings you a step closer to meeting your precious little one.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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