The experience of feeling a baby move inside the uterus represents one of pregnancy’s most anticipated and profound milestones. While the pregnant person is the first to experience these movements, the moment a partner or family member feels a distinct kick from the outside is often a moment of shared joy and connection. This physical confirmation of the life growing within transforms the experience from an internal reality into one that the whole family can tangibly participate in.
When the Pregnant Person First Feels Movement
The initial perception of fetal movement by the pregnant person is known as quickening. This sensation typically occurs between 16 and 25 weeks of gestation, although it is often subtle and easily mistaken for gas or digestive movements at first. For those who have been pregnant before, quickening may be noticed as early as 13 to 16 weeks. First-time mothers, however, may not recognize these movements until closer to 20 or 22 weeks.
The earliest movements are described as gentle flutters, bubbles popping, or a faint swishing sensation, reflecting the small size and limited strength of the fetus. As the pregnancy advances into the second trimester, these subtle feelings evolve into more definite jabs, rolls, and kicks.
The Timeline for External Feeling
The movement must be significantly stronger and the fetus larger for the sensation to transmit through the uterine wall, the amniotic fluid, and the abdominal wall to be felt externally by another person. The general window for external detection typically begins around 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy. This period corresponds to the end of the second trimester and the beginning of the third, when the baby is larger and muscular development has progressed substantially. Before this time, the movements are often too soft or too cushioned to be felt through the layers of tissue.
Trying to detect a kick from the outside can be challenging because the baby’s movements are often sporadic and unpredictable. The most successful external detection often occurs when the movement is powerful enough to displace the pregnant person’s abdomen visibly.
Biological Factors Affecting Detection
The exact timing of external movement detection varies widely due to several biological and physical factors specific to the pregnancy. One of the most significant variables is the location of the placenta within the uterus. If the placenta is positioned on the front wall of the uterus, known as an anterior placenta, it acts as a cushion, muffling the force of the baby’s kicks toward the abdomen.
Conversely, a posterior placenta, which is positioned toward the back wall of the uterus near the spine, leaves the front of the abdomen relatively unobstructed. This allows movements to be transmitted and felt more directly and often earlier. Maternal body composition also plays a role in the palpability of the movements. A thicker abdominal wall can add an extra layer of insulation, which may further dampen the force of the kicks.
Furthermore, the baby’s position within the uterus determines the direction of the movement. Kicks are most easily felt externally when the baby is facing outward, directing the force of their limbs toward the mother’s abdomen rather than inward toward her spine. Finally, higher levels of amniotic fluid can sometimes cushion the movements, requiring the kicks to be even more vigorous to be felt on the outside.
Practical Advice for Feeling Fetal Movement
To increase the chances of feeling an external kick, timing and positioning are the most important considerations for the observer. Fetal activity often spikes when the pregnant person is relaxed or lying down, particularly in the evening hours. The baby is often lulled to sleep by the motion of the day, becoming more active when the mother settles down.
It is helpful to wait until the pregnant person has had a meal or a small, non-caffeinated sugary drink, as the resulting change in blood sugar can sometimes stimulate a period of increased fetal activity. The observer should place their hand gently but firmly on the abdomen and remain still, waiting for several minutes to detect a movement. Sudden pressure or poking can sometimes cause the baby to shift position or stop moving entirely. An external observer may need to be patient, as the baby may stop moving as soon as pressure is applied to the abdomen.
Talking or singing softly to the baby may also prompt a response, as the fetus can hear sounds from outside the womb, especially in the third trimester. Lying on the side, particularly the left side, can also encourage the baby to move and may shift the uterine position slightly, making movements more noticeable.