Getting to know your baby's movements
When you might first feel your baby move, what it feels like, why learning your baby's own pattern matters, and what to do if movements change.
By PreggieLover 3 min read
Elisabeth felt her baby leap the moment she heard Mary's greeting (see Luke 1:41). Thousands of years later, that first unmistakable flutter still stops mums in their tracks. Your baby's movements are one of the sweetest parts of pregnancy, and also one of the most important ways your baby tells you how they are.
When will I first feel my baby move?
Most women first notice movements somewhere between about 16 and 24 weeks. If this is your first baby, it may be towards the later end. If you have been pregnant before, you may recognise the feeling sooner. Every pregnancy is different, so try not to compare with friends.
If you reach 24 weeks and have not felt your baby move, tell your midwife or doctor so they can check on you both.
What does it feel like?
Early movements are often described as:
- A flutter, like butterflies or a bubble popping.
- A tiny tap or swish.
- Something rolling over inside.
As your baby grows, movements become stronger: kicks, jabs, rolls, stretches, and sometimes rhythmic little jerks, which are usually hiccups.
A placenta at the front may cushion movements
If your scan showed an anterior placenta, which means it lies at the front of your womb, it can cushion your baby's movements, so you might feel them later or less strongly at first. Even so, once you know your baby's pattern, any change still matters.
Learning your baby's pattern
There is no set number of kicks you should count. What matters is learning what is normal for your baby. Many babies have busy times, often in the evening or when you lie down, and quieter times when they sleep.
A few simple ways to tune in:
- Each day, notice when your baby tends to be active.
- Lie on your side for a while after a meal and pay attention.
- Jot a quick note in your phone or the app when you feel strong movements, if that helps you remember.
- Share what you notice with your midwife at appointments.
Do movements slow down at the end?
No. This is a common myth. Your baby should keep moving right up to and during labour. The type of movement may change as space gets tight, with fewer big kicks and more rolls and pushes, but you should still feel your baby moving in their usual pattern.
If your baby is moving less
This is the most important part of this article. If you think your baby is moving less than usual, the pattern has changed, or you have not felt movements:
- Call your midwife or maternity unit straight away. Day or night.
- Do not wait until the next day to see if things pick up.
- Do not use a home heartbeat monitor or an app to check. Hearing a heartbeat does not tell you your baby is well, and it can give false reassurance.
- Do not rely on drinking something cold or sugary and waiting. It is fine to have a drink while you get ready, but make the call.
Your team may listen to your baby's heartbeat, monitor for a while, or arrange a scan. If movements change again on another day, call again, every time. You are not overreacting. Midwives want to know.
Making room for wonder
Your baby's movements can also be a quiet place of connection. Some mums sing to their bump, read the Psalms aloud, or lay a hand there while praying. Your husband or partner may love to feel the kicks once they are strong enough. Older siblings often delight in a little foot pushing back against their hand.
If you have lost a baby before, movements may bring both comfort and anxiety. That is understandable. Tell your midwife about your history and how you feel; you may be offered extra support.
A quick summary
- First movements: usually between about 16 and 24 weeks.
- Learn your own baby's pattern; there is no magic number of kicks.
- Movements should not slow down near the end.
- Any reduction or change: call straight away, not tomorrow.
- No home heartbeat monitors.
A prayer as I feel you move
Lord, thank You for every flutter and kick, small signs of the life You are knitting together. Help me to notice, to trust what I feel, and to ask for help quickly if something changes. Hold my baby safe tonight. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
When do you usually start feeling your baby move?
Most women first feel movements between about 16 and 24 weeks. If you have not felt your baby move by 24 weeks, tell your midwife or doctor.
How many kicks should I feel each day?
There is no set number. Get to know your own baby's pattern, and call your midwife or maternity unit straight away if movements reduce or change.
Is it normal for baby movements to slow down near the due date?
No. Your baby should keep moving in their usual pattern right up to labour. The type of movement may change, but any reduction needs a call straight away.
This article is for general information and encouragement, not medical advice. Please talk to your doctor or midwife about your own health and your baby's.
