Feeling your baby move

GET TO KNOW YOUR BABY

Pregnant women normally feel their baby move from about 18 weeks. From 24 weeks you should feel your baby every day. During your pregnancy check-ups, the midwife keeps an eye on your baby’s growth and condition, but you, as the mother, know your baby best before he or she is born. What your baby tells you through its movements is important information!
We advise you to spend time every day during your pregnancy getting to know your baby’s pattern of movements. Here you will find information about what your baby’s kicks mean and some tips on how to check on your baby’s wellbeing. Taking time to get to know your baby is a good habit!

WHAT DO YOUR BABY’S KICKS SAY ABOUT ITS WELLBEING?

Pregnant women normally feel their baby move from about 18 weeks. From 24 weeks you should feel your baby every day. During your pregnancy check-ups, the midwife keeps an eye on your baby’s growth and condition, but you, as the mother, know your baby best before he or she is born. What your baby tells you through its movements is important information!
We advise you to spend time every day during your pregnancy getting to know your baby’s pattern of movements. Here you will find information about what your baby’s kicks mean and some tips on how to check on your baby’s wellbeing. Taking time to get to know your baby is a good habit!

LEARNING TO RECOGNISE MOVEMENTS

Recognising your baby’s movements every day can be a good habit. Kicking is important for all expectant mothers; it is best to start getting to know and recognise your baby’s movements between the 26th and 28th week of pregnancy.

All movements count as a “kick”, except hiccups. Several movements at the same time should be counted as one “kick”. The best way to feel your baby’s movements is to lie down or sit in a relaxed position and concentrate on the movements. If your baby doesn’t respond to your touch, you can press gently on your belly. Try to notice your baby’s movements at roughly the same time every day, choosing a time when your baby is usually active. During that part of the day, try to be aware of your baby’s movements. In this way, most mothers need little time to recognise the movements and to realise that their baby is moving normally for him or her.

WHAT IS YOUR BABY DOING?

Your baby is active throughout the pregnancy. It makes movements to help its lungs develop. Your baby is practising for life outside the womb. From time to time it will have hiccups, which you will feel as small rhythmic jerks. Your baby will make strong and less strong movements in your womb. You probably won’t feel small movements such as thumb-sucking or stretching its fingers. In the third trimester you will feel most of the kicks and nudges. When you change position, you may also feel your baby move more, for example when you go from sitting to lying down.

SOMETIMES IT’S QUIET

Your baby sleeps a lot, and then it will hardly move. The periods of sleep become longer as the pregnancy progresses. Most babies are especially active in the evening, although some prefer to move early in the morning. There can be big differences between healthy babies in how often and how hard they kick. Kicking includes all kinds of movements. Some mothers feel fewer movements than others. You feel the movements best when you are lying down, and least when you are standing, walking or busy.

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOUR BABY KICK? AND WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF IT KICKS LESS?

Once you have consciously felt your baby’s movements for 2 weeks (from 24 weeks), you will probably notice that the kicking varies a little from day to day, but is also largely similar. This is the case for a baby in good condition, even if the way you feel the movements changes during your pregnancy. The most important thing is to notice when there is a clear and lasting decrease in your baby’s normal activity. If you are worried about your baby, you should tell your midwife. If your baby has moved fewer than 7 times in one day: if this happens, NEVER wait until the next day, but contact your midwife immediately.