Guide: When You Will Feel Your Baby Kick

When Do You Feel Baby’s First Kicks?

Oh, the milestones of pregnancy! The food aversions, growing belly, those enlarged breasts you took on and those oh so sweet belly kicks soon to come. Your bodies changing day by day, and so is the baby! You may be at the point of your pregnancy where you’re wondering when you’ll begin to feel baby’s first kicks. I remember it like it was yesterday. The sense of relief you get, the reality soaks in just a little more that you mama, have been chosen to carry this tiny little human in your tummy. Pregnancy can be overwhelming for us. That first trimester sure feels long after you get your first ultrasound (usually around weeks 6-8, but may vary depending on your doctor and pregnancy). Feeling baby kick was just a little bit more reassurance that everything was going OK in that growing belly of mine. Every baby is different, so activeness may vary for each mom to be. Knowing what to expect and when to expect those flutters and later on kicks, will put your mind at ease.

Baby Kicks By Trimester

First Trimester Baby Kicks, or Lack of Kicks:

This can be one of the hardest trimesters for some moms. The excessive tiredness, morning sickness, and sensitive breasts can all be so exhausting. Exiting the first trimester can be a glory for some, as most of these side effects will tone down a notch once you enter the second trimester. The first trimester begins on the first day of your last menstrual cycle and lasts until the end of week 12. Baby’s development is rapidly increasing during this time. Their eyes, ears, nose arms and legs have begun to form giving your baby a more defined profile. In addition, their genitalia has begun to form along with their internal organs. By the end of week 12, your little one will have fingernails! During this time, baby is, in fact, moving around in there but only weighing on average 1/2 an ounce and 2 1/2 inches long (from head go bum) so you won’t feel those flutters just yet. Hang on tight mama, those kicks are soon to come.

Second Trimester Flutter Kicks:

Most moms vote this as the “top trimester” as those not so fun symptoms in the first trimester usually subside. You should begin to feel your energy increase and any morning sickness you’ve endured typically will go away once you enter week 13-14. You begin to feel those flutters and kicks during this trimester, wohoooo! Now, there a several factors that play into how early you will begin to feel these exciting movements but can range anywhere from 14-26 weeks. Generally, most mama’s begin to feel those “quickening” movements around 18-22 weeks.

If this is your second pregnancy, you may start to feel it earlier on. The position of your placenta can play a role in just how early you feel any sort of movement. An anterior placenta is when the egg plants itself on the front wall of the uterus. Instead of baby facing your spine, he or she will face your abdomen. The good news is, this doesn’t affect baby at all, you may just have to wait a few weeks later to feel those jabs. During this time those quickening movements or flutters may not even cross your mind as they can feel very similar to gas bubbles. Telling the difference can be tricky at times but you should begin to notice a pattern of when you feel them most. Typically, you will feel them in your lower abdomen usually while laying down at night.

Drinking cold water or a sugary snack can help activate baby. If that doesn’t work, baby might just be taking a rest. Gently pressing or massaging your abdomen can wake them up and may result in some movement! At your next doctor visit, ask them what is a safe pressure to massage your belly.

Third Trimester Karate Kicks:

You’re almost at the finish line mama! You have now entered the third-trimester beginning week 28 and lasting until 40 weeks (or until you deliver the baby). This is when your little gymnast will be most active and you sure will be able to tell! At the beginning of the third- trimester, you’ll feel more jabs and kicks but as baby gets bigger he or she will be rolling and stretching their little arms and legs. Like adults, baby’s get the hiccups too. If you notice faint little flutters in a rhythmic pattern, your little one may just have the hiccups.

You’ll want to begin tracking baby’s movement/kicks during this time. If there are any sudden changes and or decreases in their movement you’ll want to call your doctor right away. However, there are several factors that may contribute to baby’s downtime. Usually, babies tend to fall into a deep after having sex with your partner. The rocking motion and orgasm can bring on those drowsy eyes! Not to worry, sex during pregnancy is still safe (unless your doctor has told you not to do so).

Takeaway

Having a baby is one of the most joyous times for a mother and partner. Feeling those kicks just makes it even more special for us! If you’re concerned at any point in time about baby's movement, don’t hesitate to call your doctor. Keeping you and your little one safe is most important!

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