Most women who notice that there may be something wrong during their pregnancy are often very observant.
In fact some women have confessed that being aware of their baby's movements helped save the baby's life.
Reduced foetal movement can be a sign that the baby is in distress although this is not the only cause. In fact 2 out of 3 mums who have a stillbirth say they noticed their baby’s movements slow down beforehand. It is therefore important that all cases of reduced movement are reported to your doctor or nurse.
When should I feel my baby move?
Most women usually begin to feel their baby move between 16 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. If you’ve had a baby before, you know what to look out for in terms of what a baby kick feels like. You may begin to notice those movements as early as 13 weeks.
Babies tend to move mostly in response to what’s happening in their environment. Too much noise, light or even certain strong foods can stimulate your baby into kicking and moving. There is no set number of normal movements. Your baby will have their own pattern of movements that you should get to know.
It’s recommended to start counting your baby’s kicks around 28 weeks. This will help aid discovery of any foetal issues.
How many movements or kicks should I feel?
There is no set number of kicks you should be feeling, what is important is that you know what is normal for your individual baby. If you notice a decrease in your baby’s regular movement pattern contact your doctor.
How many baby kicks is normal?
The average number of kicks falls between 15-20 per day, remembering this includes all movement, not just kicking your bladder.
Every baby is different, and this includes their movements. Some babies will sleep all day and move at night when you are asleep, whereas others seem to be moving all the time. Babies rest and sleep in the womb as much as 17 hours a day, usually for periods of around 40-50 minutes at a time. If you’ve been busy and on the move, you might not notice your baby’s wakeful movements.
Foetal movement can increase after eating, drinking something sweet, or physical activity. Active periods can also be seen between the hours of 9pm – 1am, as your blood sugar levels are dropping.
When should I count kicks?
If you are experiencing less than 10 movements in a two hour period or have reduced or no movement in response to external stimuli like loud noise, patting or prodding your belly, or the sound of you or your spouses’s voice, then you need to start counting kicks. Also if you have noticed a gradual decrease in your baby’s movements for more than two consecutive days, then you need to start paying attention to your baby's movements. Experts recommend that you keep track of the baby movements. You should feel 10 kicks, flutters, swishes, or rolls within 2 hours.
How can I count my baby's kicks?
If you think your baby’s movements have reduced, make a note of any movements in the following hour. Sit down, have a snack or a cold drink, and put your feet up. The sugar in food or the coldness of the drink will usually wake your baby and you should feel at least ten movements in the next two hours. These movements include rolls, hiccups, kicks and pokes. If you notice reduced movements in a two hour period, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.
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