Fetal movements are important indicators of fetal health, with doctors using “kick counts” and ultrasounds to monitor them. The first movements are usually felt between 14 and 22 weeks, but lack of movement doesn’t always indicate a problem. Mothers should track their baby’s movements and notify a doctor if there is a decrease in activity.
Fetal movements refer to the movements of an unborn baby while in the uterus. In some cases they are an important indicator of fetal health, as a lack of fetal movement can signal a problem. Doctors may ask expectant mothers to do “kick counts” to determine the likelihood of fetal distress, or the movements can be viewed on an ultrasound machine.
The first fetal movements are usually felt between 14 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. Some women report movement as early as 10 or 11 weeks, although other sensations such as gas can often be mistaken for the first kicks. While it’s different for everyone, the first few movements are described as feeling like butterfly wings, gas bubbles, fluttering, or a light touch sensation. These gradually become more forceful kicking, prodding, and hitting as the pregnancy progresses. Women who have had babies before will likely notice the first movements earlier than first timers, especially since they are better able to distinguish between other sensations and movements.
No two babies develop exactly the same way, so even if the kicks aren’t felt by 22 weeks, it doesn’t always indicate a problem. In most cases, the baby is too far in the pelvis to be felt at the time or is in another position that makes it more difficult to feel his kicks. An overweight woman can also feel the movements of her baby later than a woman with a slender frame.
If fetal movements are still not felt by 24 to 25 weeks, a doctor may want to do an ultrasound to make sure the fetus is okay. In most cases everything is fine. If a problem is suspected, however, a stress-free test or biophysical profile can be performed. Most of the time, a lack of kicks this early in pregnancy doesn’t indicate a problem. In many cases, the gestational age will be off and the mother may be a few weeks earlier in pregnancy than expected.
Once kicks are felt regularly, mothers can start tracking when their babies are most active and how many kicks they usually feel per day. You don’t need to obsess over counting kicks, but if the fetal movements seem less frequent than usual, it might be a good idea to time them for an hour or two. At least ten movements should be felt within two hours, including kicks, flops, rolls, elbows and hiccups.
As a general rule, kicks should be counted when the mother is lying or sitting very still. During the day the fetus is often rocked by the mother’s frequent movements as she walks or exercises, but at night she wakes up and becomes more active while she is sitting or trying to sleep. Drinking a glass of ice water or gently tapping the abdomen can also stimulate fetal activity. If little or no calcium is noticed within one to two hours, a doctor or midwife should be notified.
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