Of course, the feeling of fetal movement is one of the most exciting and warming moments in the pregnancy journey, as it is the first tangible connection between the mother and her child, as well as a reassuring sign that the little one is growing and developing inside the womb, but when can the mother expect this magical moment?

What is fetal movement?

Fetal movement refers to the muscular movements that the child makes inside the womb. These movements may begin very early in pregnancy, but the mother does not feel them until after a certain period has passed, when the fetus becomes large enough and its movements become strong enough to reach the abdominal wall.

The importance of fetal movement is that it is a vital indicator of its health and indicates that its nervous and muscular system is growing properly, as well as the development of its motor skills. 

When does fetal movement begin?

The question of when does fetal movement begin is one of the common questions among pregnant women, especially for the first time? Usually, the mother begins to feel her fetus movement for the first time between weeks 16 and 25 of pregnancy, but this timing is not fixed, and may differ from one woman to another based on several factors, including the number of pregnancies, the location of the placenta, and the shape of the woman’s body. 

In fact, the fetus begins to move very early, often in the eighth to twelfth week of pregnancy, but at this stage, its size is very small and its movements are so light that the mother cannot feel them, as they resemble a slight flutter or a feeling of bubbles in the abdomen.

How does a pregnant woman feel fetal movement?

Feeling the movement of the fetus is a unique and exciting experience for every pregnant woman. After knowing when the movement of the fetus begins, we will explain how the movement feels at first. It may be difficult to distinguish it, but over time the movements become clearer.

The mother’s feeling of her fetus’s movement varies according to the age stage of pregnancy. Here are the details:

• At the beginning of the feeling of movement, specifically between weeks 16 and 25, the mother may describe it as a slight flutter, gently bursting bubbles, or a light tickling in the abdominal wall from the inside.
• In the middle of pregnancy, as the fetus grows, its size and weight become larger, and its movements become stronger. The mother feels strong kicks, punches, fluctuations, rolling, and rhythmic vibrations when the fetus suffers from hiccups. The mother is also able to see the movements clearly from the outside.
• At the end of pregnancy and as the date of birth approaches, the space available to the fetus becomes less. Therefore, strong movements may decrease, rolling inside the uterus becomes slower, and the mother may feel pressure on the uterine wall due to the movement of the fetus’s head or feet.

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​Factors that affect fetal movement

Fetal movement is affected by various factors, some of which are normal and do not cause concern, and others may be an indication of a health problem that requires follow-up with a doctor. Natural factors that affect fetal movement include the following:

• Time of day: The fetus’s activity varies throughout the day. It is often most active in the evening, while it may be less active at other times because it is asleep.
• The mother's lifestyle: When the mother is active or moving, her gentle movement causes a feeling of calmness to the fetus, making it less mobile. Conversely, when the mother lies down and relaxes, she often feels the fetus's movements more clearly.
• Food and drink: Fetal activity increases significantly after the mother eats a meal rich in sugar or carbohydrates, and drinking cold or caffeinated drinks such as coffee can stimulate its movement.
• Location of the placenta: If the placenta is attached to the front wall of the uterus, it acts as a cushion between the fetus and the abdominal wall, which reduces the mother’s feeling of its movements, especially in the first months.
• Pregnancy development: As pregnancy progresses, the type of fetal movement changes. Instead of strong, clear kicks in the middle of pregnancy, the movements may turn into rolling or pressing as the date of birth approaches due to lack of space.

While health factors that affect fetal movement and require attention include the following:

• Lack of amniotic fluid: It is the fluid surrounding the fetus and has a major role in facilitating its movement. If this fluid is very little, this may limit the fetus’s ability to move freely, leading to a lack of movement.
• Placenta problems: It is the source of nutrition for the fetus with oxygen and nutrients, and any deficiency in its function affects the health and activity of the fetus.
• Maternal health: Some maternal health conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, can affect fetal movement.
• Fetal size: In some cases, when the fetus is too large for its gestational age, which limits the space of movement available to it in the uterus.

When does fetal movement increase and when does it decrease?

After knowing when the fetal movement begins, mothers must know 

Continuous changes in fetal movement during pregnancy, and when it increases or decreases based on several natural factors, to feel reassured and monitor the health of the fetus.

Fetal movement increases naturally in the following cases:

• After eating, especially a meal rich in sugar or carbohydrates, as the mother’s blood sugar level rises, which provides additional energy to the fetus and increases its activity.
• After drinking cold drinks or stimulants that contain caffeine, the fetus becomes more active and energetic. 
• At certain times of the day, as the fetus has its own sleep-wake cycle, it is usually most active in the evening and night, especially between 9 pm and 1 am, when the mother is in a relaxed state or about to sleep.
• When the mother is lying or sitting quietly, because the effect of her movement on the fetus is reduced, allowing her to feel its movements more clearly.

While fetal movement naturally decreases in the following cases:

• Sleep periods, where the fetus sleeps for regular periods ranging from 20 to 40 minutes, and may reach 90 minutes, during these periods it does not move, and this is completely normal.
• During the mother's daily activity, that is, when the mother is busy or moving a lot, her movements may calm the fetus and make him go to sleep, and her busyness may make her not notice his slight movements.
• As pregnancy progresses, especially in the ninth month, and the size of the fetus increases, the space available for it in the uterus becomes narrower, so the nature of its movements changes from strong kicks to rolling and less severe fluctuations.

It is worth noting that immediately before birth, some women may feel an increase in fetal movement for a short period, while others feel a decrease in movement, and this change in movement may be a sign that the fetus is preparing for birth and descending into the pelvic area.

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The difference between male and female fetal movement

There are many popular beliefs spread around that the movement of the male fetus differs from the movement of the female fetus, as it is said that the male fetus is more active, has stronger movements, and kicks strongly early in the beginning of pregnancy, and that the female fetus has softer and gentler movements, and that it is delayed in appearing.

But categorically, there is no scientific evidence proving that there is a difference between the movement of the male and female fetus. Doctors and obstetric experts confirm that the nature of the fetal movement has nothing to do with its gender.

The factors that affect the intensity and timing of fetal movement are the health and activity of the fetus, the location of the placenta, and the mother’s weight and experience. 

 Frequently asked questions

When does a pregnant woman first feel fetal movement?

The timing of when fetal movement begins varies depending on when the pregnant woman feels it, and women in their first pregnancy usually feel movement for the first time in weeks 18-25, because they may not distinguish light movements at first.  

How can I let the baby move in my stomach?

If you want to encourage your fetus to move in your belly, you can try these safe and effective methods:

• Have a snack or something sweet, such as fresh juice, a piece of chocolate, or fruit;
• Lying on the left side;
• Calm down and relax in a quiet place, where you can focus on the fetal movements.  
• Talking or singing to the fetus;
• Light touch or gentle massage of the abdomen.
• Change your position or walk a little. Sometimes walking calms the fetus, but when you stop, you may feel its movement.
• Drink cold water, because the change in temperature inside the uterus may stimulate movement.
• Use a dim lamp on the abdomen, as some fetuses react to light, especially in the third trimester.  

When does the mother feel the fetal heartbeat?

We can know when the fetal movement begins, but the mother does not feel the fetal heartbeat directly during pregnancy, because the fetal heartbeat is inside the uterus and cannot be felt with the hand or body. 

But the doctor can hear the fetus's heartbeat for the first time via a Doppler or portable ultrasound between weeks 10 and 12 of pregnancy.  

In the ultrasound examination known as ultrasound, the pulse can be seen and drawn from week 6 onwards. 

In conclusion, the feeling of fetal movement remains a unique and distinctive experience for every mother, carrying with it many feelings and hope. After clarifying when fetal movement begins in the article, and because the health of the mother and fetus is our highest priority, Al Mousa Specialist Hospital provides comprehensive and integrated care for the mother during all stages of pregnancy, through our specialized medical team and the latest technologies. We are keen to provide the best services that guarantee your safety and the safety of your child.

Do not hesitate to contact us on the numbers listed on the website if you have any questions about your fetal movement or any other aspect of pregnancy.

Sources 

Your baby’s movements – nhs

Feeling Your Baby Kick – webmd