First Fetal Movement : Quickening
Some moms can feel their babies
move as early as 13-16 weeks from the start of their last period. These first fetal movements are called
quickening and are often described as flutters. It may be difficult
to determine whether this feeling is gas or your baby’s movements,
but soon you will begin to notice a pattern. First-time moms may not
feel these movements as early as second-time moms. Some moms, especially
those in their first pregnancy, may not feel movement until 18-20 weeks.
Remember that each woman and each pregnancy is different, so you may
not feel movement as early as another woman. There is a broad range
of when the first detection of movement can be felt, ranging from 13-25
weeks.
Why does my baby move?
As your baby is continuing to develop he/she will stretch and flex his/her limbs. As you get further along in your pregnancy, you will begin to feel more obvious movements, such as kicking, punching, and rolling. Your baby may also move as he/she responds to noise or to your emotions. If your baby finds a position that you are in to be uncomfortable, he/she may also begin to squirm. Certain foods you eat could also cause your baby to be more active, and you may notice that he/she follows a sleeping/waking cycle.
How often should my baby move?
As you get further along in your pregnancy, you will need to keep track of how often your baby moves each day. Sometime in the third trimester you may notice that your baby’s movements are more frequent and vigorous and occur in a regular pattern. Though movements are still regular, they may decrease after week 32 because the baby is bigger and more restricted in the uterus.
Beginning with week 28, it is beneficial to begin counting your baby’s movements. This will help you to identify potential problems and can also be a great bonding experience between you and your baby. Using a kick count chart can be very helpful. When counting your baby’s movements choose the same time each day. It might be easiest to lie on your left side and record how long it takes to feel 10 movements. For further information about recording movements see kick counts.
What should I do if I don’t feel my baby moving?
If you have been keeping a chart of your baby’s movements and
you notice a significant deviation in the pattern, contact your health care
provider. If you do not feel 10 movements within 2 hours, try again
later that day. If you still do not feel 10 movements within 2 hours,
you should contact your healthcare provider.