When Can You Feel Your Baby Move?

Whether it’s your first, second, or third pregnancy, you’re probably eager to feel that first move or kick. If you haven’t felt anything yet, you may wonder just when it’s going to happen.

The truth is, your baby’s been moving from the very beginning — you just haven’t felt it.

First trimester movement: Weeks 1 to 12

Given the teeny tiny size of your baby during early pregnancy, it’s unlikely that you’ll feel any type of fetal movement in your first trimester.

If you have an ultrasound later in this trimester — say, around week 12 or so — the person doing the scan may point out that your baby is already rockin’ and rollin’ to the beat of their own drum.

But without an ultrasound — or if your baby isn’t active during the scan, which is also quite typical — you’ll be none the wiser because you likely won’t feel a thing.

While the first 3 months of pregnancy will come and go with little to no noticeable action, your baby will more than make up for it in your second and third trimesters.

Second trimester movement: Weeks 13 to 26

This will be an exciting trimester! Morning sickness might start to fade (thank goodness!), you’ll have a growing baby bump, and those baby kicks will become a bit more noticeable.

The first movements you can feel (known as quickening) start in the second trimester. At first, you might not even recognize what’s happening. Your baby is still small, so the kicks aren’t going to be strong. Instead, you may feel a strange sensation that you can describe only as a flutter.

Imagine a tiny fish swimming in your stomach (or a bit lower, really). As odd as it may sound, this is likely what those first movements will feel like.

It can start as early as 14 weeks, but 18 weeks is more standard. If you’ve been pregnant before and kind of know what to expect, you might detect movement sooner — maybe even as early as 13 weeks.

If you’re carrying twins or triplets, there’s less space in your womb. Even so, you’re not likely to feel movement any earlier when pregnant with multiples. (But you can expect a wild, acrobatic ride later in your pregnancy!)

Third trimester movement: Weeks 27 to 40

This brings us to the third trimester, also known as the home stretch. Things are getting a little cramped. And with less room to stretch, your baby’s kicks, nudges, and punches are unmistakable.

Your baby is also stronger in the third trimester, so don’t be surprised if some of those kicks hurt or cause you to flinch.

As the baby takes up more space, you can also expect their movement to be less dramatic as you get closer to your delivery date. That said, it should not get less frequent or stop altogether.

Myths about a baby’s movements are very common. It is not true that babies move less toward the end of pregnancy. Babies do not “run out of room.” You should continue to feel your baby move right up to the time you go into labor — and during labor, too.

The joy of feeling your baby move is even greater when you can share it with your partner, friends, or family members.

You’re carrying the baby, so naturally, you’re able to notice their movement sooner than others. But in most cases, your partner should be able to detect movement a few weeks after you.

If your partner places their hand on your stomach, they may feel the baby move as early as week 20. As your baby becomes bigger and stronger, your partner (or others you allow) will not only feel kicks but also see kicks.

Your baby may even begin to respond to familiar voices around week 25, so speaking to your baby could prompt a kick or two.

While some of those earlier movements may feel like a wave or a fish swimming in your belly, movement can also mimic feelings of gas or hunger pangs. So you may think that you’re hungry or having digestion problems.

It’s not until the feeling becomes consistent and stronger that you might realize it’s actually your baby exploring their environment!

Sometimes, your baby’s movement can feel like little ticks in your belly. In all likelihood, your baby has begun hiccuping, which is completely harmless.

You can get to know how your baby moves, what it feels like, their busy times of the day (or night), and what’s typical for them.

It’s important to keep in mind that how often your baby moves will change at different stages of your pregnancy. Just because they start moving in the second trimester doesn’t mean that it’ll happen all day long.

Remember, your baby is still tiny. It’s unlikely that you’ll feel every flip or roll. It’s not until your baby becomes bigger that you’ll start to feel something every day. You might even begin to notice regular patterns of movement.

Your baby may be more active in the mornings and calmer in the afternoons and evenings, or vice versa. It really depends on their sleep cycle.

How often should my baby move?

There’s no set number of movements you should feel each day – every baby is different. It’s important to get to know what’s typical for your baby.

Your baby’s typical movement level will become clear from 24 to 28 weeks. Your baby should not slow down during your pregnancy.

Want to play a game with your baby?

As you enter the third trimester, your doctor may likely suggest kick counting as a fun and simple way to track your baby’s health during these final months.

You’re looking to time how long it takes your baby to reach 10 movements. Count movements (like kicks, flutters, swishes, or rolls). Hiccups do not count. Stop counting when you reach 10, and note how much time has passed.

After each session, compare how long it took and how strong the kicks felt with past sessions. If you notice a change in strength of movements or how long it takes your baby to get to 10 movements, go to the hospital immediately.

The hospital’s doctors are available 24/7 for you and your baby to be checked. Do not put off getting checked until the next day or wait until your next scheduled appointment.

If you notice any changes in your baby’s movements or feel concerned about them, go to the hospital immediately. Don’t put off getting checked until the morning, the next day, or your next scheduled appointment.

You can contact your OB-GYN, nurse midwife, or healthcare professional to let them know you are going, but you don’t need their permission to go to the hospital or to be checked.

You cannot determine whether decreased movement is a medical emergency for your baby from home. Only a healthcare professional can evaluate you and your baby’s health.

A change in movements can be an early warning sign that your baby needs help. Sometimes, it’s the only warning sign. If you get care promptly, your baby’s life may be saved.

Changes to look for include:

• fewer movements
• weaker movements
• an unusually rapid increase in movement

Trust your gut instincts. Don’t go home form the hospital if you aren’t feeling reassured about your baby’s movements and health.

It’s important to seek care as soon as possible. Don’t use handheld monitors, dopplers, or phone apps to check your baby’s heartbeat. Even if you do detect a heartbeat, this does not mean your baby is well.

Don’t try to get your baby to move by drinking cold water or eating something sugary. Don’t start a new kick count, even if asked by a healthcare professional. Instead, go get checked immediately.

You should continue to feel your baby move right up to the time you go into labor and during labor, too.

These contractions happen during the third trimester, and it’s essentially your body’s way of preparing for labor and delivery. This is a tightening of your abdomen that comes and goes over a period of time.

Not only can you detect movement during these contractions, but your baby’s movements can even trigger Braxton-Hicks contractions. Going for a walk or changing your position can help relieve these early contractions.

Feeling your baby move is one of the amazing joys of pregnancy. It often helps you form an intense bond with your baby, so it’s pretty natural to feel worried if you think you haven’t felt movement often or early enough.

But some babies move more than others, and some people feel kicks sooner than others. Try not to worry. You’ll soon get a feel for what’s typical for your baby. Counting your baby’s kicks is the best way to become familiar with what movement is typical for your baby.

If you notice a decrease or change in your baby’s movements, seek medical care immediately. For most people, that means going to the hospital. Decreased movement when your baby is usually active may be the only sign that your baby is in trouble and needs immediate care.