When will I feel the movements of the fetus?

Are you pregnant and wondering why you do not feel your baby's movements or are eager to feel his first kick?

 

A logical question for a young mom waiting to feel her baby move in her belly. After all, fetal movements during pregnancy tend to bring more happiness to upbringing parents than a positive pregnancy test. If, however, you are wondering exactly when to start feeling the little animal you are pregnant, you have only to ask the specialist to make sure everything is going well.

 

 

 

It is true that most women from a very early age state that they feel the fetus's movements and usually describe them as "small butterflies" in the abdominal area, which then turn into severe kicks. Every pregnancy, however, is different, so every time the data changes. So, if you are pregnant with your first child you may feel some delay in the fetus's movements (between about 16 and 24 weeks), and if you are pregnant with your 2nd or 3rd child, you are likely to recognize his movements much earlier ( even from the 14th week).

 

In general, you should know that by the time of your 20th week your baby is about half the height he or she will be born and that its muscles are strong. So at this stage it becomes much more active! His nervous system develops and his skeleton continues to harden, making him vibrant and strong so you can feel his kicks.

 

There is, of course, a large proportion of women who do not feel everything that other mums describe. Remember that every woman experiences different experiences throughout pregnancy, so in this case some of you may feel 10 or 20 movements at the same time. In fact, your baby throughout the day can make a lot more movements in the womb than you feel or perceive.

"Today I don't feel like my little one the days before, what's going on?" Most of the time there is no cause for concern. If you are stressed out, you are likely to misinterpret everything you feel. Pregnant mommy forget that your baby is slowly growing and its movements in the womb are limited, while half of the pregnancy and afterwards your baby may temporarily fall asleep or rest.

 

If, however, you are overweight or the placenta is anterior (that is, it is formed in the front of the uterus), you likely will not feel your baby's movements as strongly. Don't worry! That you don't feel your little one is completely unexpected since, on the one hand, the extra fat in the abdomen does not allow you to feel all that the weaker mums feel, while on the other hand, the anterior placenta "absorbs" the vibration (and that's why you can't feel it every time it moves, except when its movements are intense and loud).

 

It would be good to know that as the baby progresses, the fetal motility decreases. Particularly in the last 3 weeks its decreased activity is even more noticeable, without necessarily indicating something abnormal.

 

 

 

Scientific studies have shown that your baby can make about 10 moves in 3 hours. However, some other embryos may make 10 moves within 12 hours. In both cases the fetal activity is likely to be normal. Whatever your youngster's mobility, you need to know his or her tactics (whether he is lively or lazy, for example) in order to understand when to worry. In any case, contact your doctor immediately to advise you and resolve your concerns.

 

 

 

Make sure you are prepared and know in advance what type of examination you will undergo during your visit to the doctor.

 

Initially, your gynecologist will ask you about the fetal movements and your activity throughout the day (eg if you were working and tired).

 

It will palpate your abdomen to determine that the development of the fetus is normal.

 

It will hear the fetal heart (either with a handheld device or with the use of a dedicated monitor).

 

Less often, and if the doctor thinks there are more serious causes of concern, you may need to have an ultrasound to determine the exact size and overall good functioning of the fetus.