How long into pregnancy does the baby start to move?

Pregnant women generally feel the baby moving in their belly for the first time between the 16th and 20th week of pregnancy, that is, at the end of the 4th month or during the 5th month of pregnancy. However, in the second pregnancy, it is normal for the mother to feel the baby move earlier, between the end of the 3rd month and the beginning of the 4th month of pregnancy.

The sensation of the baby moving for the first time can be similar to air bubbles, butterflies flying, fish swimming, gas, hunger or rumbling in the stomach, according to most “first-time mothers”. From the 5th month onwards, between the 16th and 20th week of pregnancy, the pregnant woman begins to feel this sensation more often and can know for sure that the baby is moving.

Is it normal to not have felt the baby move yet?

When pregnant with her first child, it is normal for the mother to have not yet felt the baby move for the first time, as this is a different and completely new sensation, which is often confused with gas or colic. Thus, the “first-time pregnant woman” can feel the baby moving for the first time only after the 5th month of pregnancy.

Additionally, pregnant women who are overweight or have a lot of abdominal fat may also have more difficulty feeling the baby move for the first time during this period, that is, between the end of the 4th month and during the 5th month of pregnancy. .

To reduce anxiety and check whether the baby is developing normally, the pregnant woman should consult the obstetrician who is monitoring the pregnancy if she does not feel the baby moving after 22 weeks of pregnancy, that is, the 5th month of pregnancy. See how your baby is developing at 22 weeks.

What to do to feel the baby move

To feel the baby moving, a great tip is to lie on your back, after dinner, without moving too much, paying attention to the baby, as most pregnant women report that it is more common to feel the baby at night. To be able to feel the baby, it is important that the pregnant woman is relaxed while maintaining this position.

To increase the chances of feeling the baby moving, the pregnant woman can also elevate her legs, keeping them higher than her hips.

Lie on your back, after dinner, without moving

Elevating your legs when lying down can help

Is it normal to stop feeling the baby moving?

It is possible for a pregnant woman to feel her baby moving less often on some days or more often on others, depending on her diet, her mood, her daily activity or her degree of tiredness.

Therefore, it is important for pregnant women to be aware of the rhythm of the baby’s movements and if they notice a drastic decrease in their quantity, especially if it is a high-risk pregnancy, they should consult the obstetrician to check whether the baby is developing correctly.

See how your baby is developing when you start to feel it in your belly for the first time in: Baby development – 16 weeks of gestation.