Feeling your baby move for the first time marks a significant and often cherished milestone during pregnancy. This sensation, known as “quickening,” transforms the abstract idea of a growing baby into a tangible reality. While the baby begins moving much earlier in development, quickening is when those movements become perceptible to the pregnant individual.
Early Fetal Movements
It is possible to feel initial fetal movements around 16 weeks of pregnancy, especially for those who have been pregnant before. These early sensations are typically subtle and can be easily mistaken for other bodily functions, such as gas bubbles, muscle spasms, or digestive movements. Quickening is often described as light fluttering, tapping, bubbles popping, or a gentle twitching within the lower abdomen.
The baby starts moving internally around 12 weeks, but these movements are usually too small to be felt. By 16 weeks, the baby’s limb movements are becoming more coordinated. As the baby grows, these movements will become more distinct and stronger, progressing from gentle flutters to more obvious kicks, punches, and rolls. Quickening is typically felt low in the belly, near the pubic bone, because the uterus is still relatively low at this stage of pregnancy.
Factors Influencing First Kicks
Several factors can influence when a pregnant individual first perceives fetal movements. Individuals who have been pregnant before, known as multiparous individuals, often recognize quickening earlier, sometimes as early as 13 to 16 weeks. This is because their uterine muscles may be more relaxed from previous pregnancies, making them more sensitive to movement, and they are also more attuned to recognizing the subtle sensations.
The position of the placenta also plays a role in the timing of feeling movements. An anterior placenta, which is located on the front wall of the uterus between the baby and the pregnant individual’s abdomen, can cushion the movements. This cushioning effect can make it harder to feel early movements, potentially delaying perception until after 20 weeks. With an anterior placenta, movements might feel weaker or softer initially.
The baby’s activity level and position within the uterus can also affect when movements are felt. Babies have sleep-wake cycles, and there will be times when they are less active. Additionally, the baby’s specific orientation in the womb might mean that movements are directed inward or towards the back, making them less noticeable.
What If You Don’t Feel Kicks Yet?
Not feeling fetal movements by 16 weeks is common and generally not a concern. The typical range for quickening is between 16 and 25 weeks. For a first pregnancy, movements are often felt closer to 18 to 22 weeks.
If no movements are felt by 24 weeks, contact a healthcare provider for assessment. Once movements become regular, usually by the third trimester, pay attention to any sudden decrease or change in patterns. If you don’t feel 10 movements within two hours, contact your healthcare provider immediately.