Your Baby’s Movements in Pregnancy

Most people are first aware of their baby moving when they are 18-20 weeks pregnant.  

If this is your first pregnancy, you may not feel until you are more than 20 weeks pregnant. If you’ve been pregnant before, you may feel movements as early as 16 weeks.  

There is no set number of normal movements you should be feeling – every baby is different. The important thing is to get to know your baby’s usual movements from day to day.  

From 18-24 weeks on you should feel the baby move more and more. After 32 weeks, the movements will stay roughly the same. You should continue to feel your baby move right up to the time you go into labour. Your baby should move during labour too.   

Feeling your baby move is a sign they are well.    

If your baby moves less or if you notice a change this can sometimes be an important warning sign that a baby is unwell. If you get the right treatment and care as soon as you can this could save your baby’s life.  

You may be less likely to be aware of your baby’s movements when you are active or busy.  

If your placenta is at the front of your uterus (womb), it may not be easy for you to feel your baby’s movements. This is called an anterior placenta.   

If your baby’s back is lying at the front of your uterus, you may feel fewer movements than if their back is lying alongside your own back. The placenta cushions the kicks.  

But you should still feel regular movement, it will just be different to those with the placenta in the more usual place. Do not assume an anterior placenta is why you can’t feel your baby’s movements. Contact your midwife or maternity unit immediately if you think your baby’s movements have slowed down, stopped or changed. It’s always best to get checked.  

If your baby lying head down or bottom first (known as breech) will not affect how you feel movements. 

No, you should not try to make your baby move. If you think your baby’s movements have slowed down, stopped or changed contact your midwife or maternity unit immediately.  

Do not use any hand-held monitors, dopplers or phone apps to check your baby’s heartbeat. This is not a reliable way to check your baby’s health. Even if you hear a heartbeat, this does not mean your baby is well. 

A heartbeat alone is not a sign of good health. Any care or treatment that could save a baby needs to be done when the baby has a heartbeat.  

You need to be monitored by a cardiotocography machine or a midwife.  

Less than 24 weeks pregnant  

Contact your midwife or local maternity unit if you have not felt your baby move by 24 weeks. They will check your baby’s heartbeat.  

From when you feel movements up to 26 weeks pregnant  

You should contact local maternity unit immediately. Do not wait until the next day or next appointment.  

Your healthcare professional will check your baby’s heartbeat.    

Over 26 weeks  

You should contact your local maternity unit immediately. Do not wait until the next day or next appointment.   

You will be asked about your baby’s movements. 

You will have an antenatal check-up including checking your baby’s heartbeat and measuring the size of your bump.  

Your baby’s heart rate will be monitored using a CTG, usually for at least 20 minutes. You should be able to see your baby’s heart rate increase as he or she moves .

An ultrasound scan may be arranged if:  

• your bump is smaller or larger than expected  

• your pregnancy has risk factors linked to stillbirth  

• your baby’s heart rate is normal but you still feel that their movements are slower or less than usual  

• you have had reduced fetal movements already in your pregnancy.  

You should not be discharged until you are happy with baby’s movements again.