Baby movements in the womb before birth

When is it possible to feel the baby or babies move in the womb?

If this is the first pregnancy, the pregnant woman or parent may not notice the baby’s movements until after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Those who have had been pregnant before might feel movements from 16 weeks (RCOG, 2019).

Sometimes, the placenta is at the front of the womb so movements can’t be felt as easily (RCOG, 2019).

If no movement has been felt by 24 weeks, the baby’s heartbeat will be checked by a midwife. An ultrasound scan and referral to a specialist centre might be arranged (RCOG, 2019). 

What will it feel like?

Feeling a kick is the most well-known movement in the womb, but baby movement is also described as a ‘swish’, flutter or roll (RCOG, 2019).

It may be a little longer before the movements can be felt by a partner putting their hand on the belly.

When is the baby most active?

The baby or babies can move at any time, day or night. However, they are usually most active in the afternoon and evening (RCOG, 2019).

They also have periods of sleep where they don’t move. This might be for 20 minutes and is rarely longer than 90 minutes (RCOG, 2019).

What trimester of pregnancy are they most active?

The baby moves around more and more until about 32 weeks of pregnancy, then their movement will stay about the same (RCOG, 2019).

The mother or pregnant person should feel the baby move right up to, and during, labour (RCOG, 2019). 

How much movement is normal?

Every baby’s movement is different, so there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ amount that they should move. It can help to know how much they normally move so you can recognise if they haven’t been moving (RCOG, 2019).  

It can be calming and reassuring to take 10 minutes every day focusing on the pregnancy and tuning into the baby.

What is reduced foetal movement (RFM)?

If the baby is moving less than usual or not at all, it might be a sign that they’re not well. This is called reduced foetal movement (RFM) (RCOG, 2019).  

But there are also other reasons it might be difficult to notice the baby’s movements.

What happens to check the baby’s movement?

If you are worried that the baby is moving less, the midwife will assess the baby or babies. Care will depend on the stage of the pregnancy (RCOG, 2019).  

• Between 24 and 28 weeks, the midwife will do a full normal antenatal check.  An ultrasound may be offered if the baby seems small.  
• After 28 weeks, in addition to a full antenatal check-up, the baby’s heartrate will be monitored. This will be for at least 20 minutes, using a cardiotocograph (CTG).  

Monitoring the heartbeat using a cardiotocograph may last longer if the unit is busy meaning staff aren’t available to finish the appointment. So it can help to have the birth partner and/or something to do while waiting. An ultrasound scan might be offered, and is normally performed within 24 hours.

Most of the time, the baby will be found to be well, and the pregnancy continues with no further problems (RCOG, 2019).  

However, it’s important to get another assessment if you feel movements have reduced again, no matter how many times it happens (RCOG, 2019).

Will my baby need to be born early?

Sometimes, if there are concerns about the baby, it might be recommended that the baby is born earlier than planned (RCOG, 2019).  

This might be by induction, or caesarean birth. There should be a full discussion and time to ask questions before the mother or birthing person decides what they would like to do (RCOG, 2019).

After two visits to the maternity unit for RFM, there may be an automatic offer of induction.

This can feel difficult to decline, even if no problem was found at the assessment. You could find out what the practice is at your local maternity unit so you’re aware that this may be offered. Again, it’s possible to ask lots of questions about the reasons for the offer, so that you feel fully informed before making a decision. 

What can cause my baby to move less in the womb?

It might be that the baby is not actually moving less, but (RCOG, 2019):

• the mother or pregnant person hasn’t noticed the movement as they’ve been busy.  
• the baby’s back is against the front of the uterus, so fewer movements are felt than if they were lying the other way around (with arms and legs at the front). 

Reasons there might be fewer movements include (RCOG, 2019; RCOG, 2011):

• the mother or pregnant person is taking pain-relieving or sedative medication which affects the baby
• alcohol can have a temporary sedative effect on the baby  
• smoking affects how oxygen moves through the placenta to the baby  
• the baby is unwell
• the baby has a condition affecting the muscles or nerves, although this is rare and is usually spotted earlier in pregnancy 

Can I monitor my baby’s movement at home?

Neither the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) nor the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommend the use of movement apps, charts or devices to listen to your baby (RCOG, 2019; NICE, 2021).

They say it is better to get to know the baby’s movements during the pregnancy (RCOG, 2019). Take 10 minutes every day to tune into the baby’s movements.