When Can I Feel My Baby Move?
When Can I Feel My Baby Move?
February 24, 2026 by adminThe first time you sense your infant’s movement is, without a doubt, one of the most comforting and tearful events of the whole pregnancy. Such first motions are usually considered as signs that the baby is developing properly and is making more and more movements in the belly. A lot of pregnant women, different especially first-time pregnancies, are not sure of the time when the baby movements start and what kind of feeling they are; thus, it can help them to lessen their worries and to raise their trust in themselves.
This blog clarifies the questions related to feeling the baby move, the meaning of such movements, and calling the doctor when needed.
When Do Baby Movements Usually Begin?
Generally, a woman can differentiate the movements of a baby inside her womb between 16 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. Usually, it happens to a first-time mother to feel the movements of the baby at 20 to 22 weeks because the feeling is faint and new to her. Cases of women who have already been pregnant and can sense the baby movements, even at times as early as 14 to 16 weeks, are quite plausible.
The time could be different for a very wide range of people, and it is most of the time okay not to feel the movements at an early stage.
What Do Early Movements Feel Like?
Initially, baby movements are very gentle and can easily be overlooked. People usually describe them as:
- Strokes of air or a gentle beating of the heart kind of sensation in the belly
- Light tapping or popping sensations
- Quiet rolling or bubbling in the lower belly
Moreover, movements at this point are still irregular and may disappear for some time. When the baby gets stronger, these times will also become more frequent and the baby will be more visible.
Factors That Affect When You Feel Movement
When movements can be felt, the timing is suggested by different factors:
- An anterior placenta, that is located at the front of the uterus and protects the movements from being felt
- First pregnancy, in which case feeling of the movements can be confused with something else
- Position of the baby and his sleeping cycles
- Mother’s level of activity, as usually movements are felt more when one is resting
Such factors are usual and normal and, thus, should not worry you.
When Do Movements Become More Regular?
Baby movements generally are more consistent from 24 to 28 weeks. Sleep and wake cycles are also developed by infants during this period; hence, movements may be on a certain schedule. It is often suggested by doctors that mothers should know their baby’s normal activity instead of doing kick counts prematurely.
Continuous movement is an indicator that the growth is going well.
When Should You Contact a Doctor?
Though variations are normal, you should definitely see a doctor if:
- You have no sensation of the baby moving even up to 24 weeks
- There is a sudden change for the worse in the number of movements
- The movements stop after you had sensed them regularly
If the baby is healthy, prompt evaluation is a great way to be assured of it and to get peace of mind.
Why Baby Movements Matter
Fetal movements are the main signal of the baby’s health issues. At times, the variation of the movements can be a sign of the baby being in a stressful situation or having less oxygen. Noticing the patterns and letting the doctors know about the changes in the movements at once enables medical help to be there on time.
The moment when you feel the baby moving inside you is a very significant point of the pregnancy and it helps the mother and the baby to have a better connection. Though every pregnancy is unique, knowing what is normal can help you not to worry unnecessarily. If you happen to be concerned with fetal movements or require a professional consultation at any point during your pregnancy, then Sugam Hospital must be your choice. Equipped with its proficient doctors and complete maternity care, it stands as an ideal pregnancy hospital in Chennai to let you have the most secure and safe pregnancy through accurate supervision, skilled guidance, and support.