Top Concerns About Feeling Your Baby Move in Pregnancy
When will I feel my baby move in pregnancy?
Updated June 16, 2015.
There are a lot of questions that come up when it comes to feeling your baby move in pregnancy. The first feeling of movements from your baby is called quickening. While your baby begins to move really early on in pregnancy, the baby is not big enough for you to feel it quite yet.
Q. This is my first baby. I am 20 weeks pregnant and I'm not sure if I've felt the baby move yet. Should I be worried?
A. No, while it's hard not to be concerned there really isn't much to be concerned about. First time moms will usually feel their baby's movements between 18-24 weeks. There are many things that will affect how soon you feel the baby move, including:
So, what should you feel? Well, it seems that everyone describes the feeling very differently. Some moms describe the baby's movements as feeling queasy, while others say they feel bubbles or butterflies in their uterus. You will probably feel the baby move and question yourself about what you've felt or if it was the baby. Don't despair, your little one will soon make his or her presence very well known. If you are really concerned talk to your practitioner.
Eventually you will realize that you are absolutely feeling the baby move and not gas or some other explanation.
Updated June 16, 2015.
Q. When will my husband be able to feel the baby?
A. While it takes a mom a good 24 weeks to begin feeling the baby, it will take dad and others longer. Sometime between 28-32 others around you can feel the baby if they put their hands on your belly. The baby just needs to be a bit bigger before it can be felt from the outside. However, be aware that baby will play games and you may have to be patient.
Once you have felt the baby move, you are probably anxious to share this feeling with the whole world, or at least share it with your partner. The thing is, it usually takes at least a few more weeks to feel the baby move from the outside. This can be disappointing for some.
Updated June 16, 2015.
Q. My baby seems to move all the time. Is that normal?
A. Every baby is very different. Some will seem to be very quiet, while others are very active. Try to see your baby's movements as a sign of well-being. As long as you are getting enough movements a day to qualify for your fetal kick counts, I wouldn't be concerned with movement that seems to be frequent. Ask your practitioner if you are really concerned.
The good news is that there does not seem to be a connection with the amount of movement that your baby makes on a daily basis and any adverse outcomes. For example, a baby who moves a lot in pregnancy is not at a higher risk for having a hyperactivity disorder. This is just something that some babies do, or in some cases, it's more about what the mother feels.
Updated June 16, 2015.
There are a lot of questions that come up when it comes to feeling your baby move in pregnancy. The first feeling of movements from your baby is called quickening. While your baby begins to move really early on in pregnancy, the baby is not big enough for you to feel it quite yet.
Q. This is my first baby. I am 20 weeks pregnant and I'm not sure if I've felt the baby move yet. Should I be worried?
A. No, while it's hard not to be concerned there really isn't much to be concerned about. First time moms will usually feel their baby's movements between 18-24 weeks. There are many things that will affect how soon you feel the baby move, including:
- Your Weight
- Location of your placenta (An anterior placenta, a placenta at the front of the uterus, sometimes prevent moms from feeling baby until s/he is very big.)
- How many babies you've had before (Once you've felt a baby move you are more likely to remember and recognize the feeling in the next pregnancy.)
So, what should you feel? Well, it seems that everyone describes the feeling very differently. Some moms describe the baby's movements as feeling queasy, while others say they feel bubbles or butterflies in their uterus. You will probably feel the baby move and question yourself about what you've felt or if it was the baby. Don't despair, your little one will soon make his or her presence very well known. If you are really concerned talk to your practitioner.
Eventually you will realize that you are absolutely feeling the baby move and not gas or some other explanation.
Updated June 16, 2015.
Q. When will my husband be able to feel the baby?
A. While it takes a mom a good 24 weeks to begin feeling the baby, it will take dad and others longer. Sometime between 28-32 others around you can feel the baby if they put their hands on your belly. The baby just needs to be a bit bigger before it can be felt from the outside. However, be aware that baby will play games and you may have to be patient.
Once you have felt the baby move, you are probably anxious to share this feeling with the whole world, or at least share it with your partner. The thing is, it usually takes at least a few more weeks to feel the baby move from the outside. This can be disappointing for some.
Updated June 16, 2015.
Q. My baby seems to move all the time. Is that normal?
A. Every baby is very different. Some will seem to be very quiet, while others are very active. Try to see your baby's movements as a sign of well-being. As long as you are getting enough movements a day to qualify for your fetal kick counts, I wouldn't be concerned with movement that seems to be frequent. Ask your practitioner if you are really concerned.
The good news is that there does not seem to be a connection with the amount of movement that your baby makes on a daily basis and any adverse outcomes. For example, a baby who moves a lot in pregnancy is not at a higher risk for having a hyperactivity disorder. This is just something that some babies do, or in some cases, it's more about what the mother feels.