Mums Tell: What My Baby's Movements Feel Like (photos)

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1. Pregnancy /
2. How your baby's growing

Mums tell: what my baby's movements feel like (photos)Written by Francesca Whiting | 8 Oct 2022IN THIS ARTICLE

• What will my baby's movements feel like?
• 12 to 15 weeks
• 16 to 19 weeks
• 20 to 23 weeks
• 24 to 27 weeks
• 28 to 31 weeks
• 32 to 35 weeks
• 36 to 40 weeks

From little flutters and ripples to big muscle spasms, BabyCentre mums-to-be reveal what their baby's movements feel like from week to week. Photo credit: Katie Rain for BabyCenter

What will my baby's movements feel like?

You'll probably start to feel some movement between at around 20 weeks of pregnancy, although every pregnancy is different. If this is your first pregnancy, it may take you a little while to realise that those fluttering feelings (quickening) are your baby's movements. If you've had a baby before, you might notice them as early as 16 weeks.If you haven't noticed your baby move by 24 weeks, call your midwife so they can check your baby's wellbeing. At first, your baby's movements may feel like bubbles popping, or a soft rolling or swirling sensation.As your baby grows and becomes more snug in your womb, their movements may become slower. However, they should still happen as often as before, and feel just as strong and powerful - right up to and including during labour.Don't hesitate to contact your midwife or maternity unit if you notice your baby’s pattern of movements are reduced or changed.BabyCentre mums-to-be share what their baby's movements feel like during their second trimester and third trimester.Photo credit: Katie Rain for BabyCenter

12 to 15 weeks

"It feels like butterflies fluttering across the bottom of my tummy.""Like a tiny machine gun blowing bubbles.""I feel like someone is flicking me with their finger from inside my womb."Photo credit: Nathan Haniger for BabyCenter

16 to 19 weeks

"I feel a slight rolling sensation low down when I'm relaxing.""It feels like I'm being tickled with a feather from the inside.""I don't feel flutters like they describe in every pregnancy book I've read. It feels more like my baby is poking me just below my belly button!""It feels like little bubbles bursting. I'm desperate to feel my baby kicking!"Photo credit: Nathan Haniger for BabyCenter

20 to 23 weeks

"It feels like my tummy is pulsing, like the kind of twitch you get in your eye or arm sometimes.""I still feel pops and also a new jelly-like feeling that's now happening more often than the popping.""The movements feel like muscle spasms and it's like there's a fish swimming around in there!"Photo credit: iStock.com / Olivier Lantzendorffer

24 to 27 weeks

"I can now feel my baby moving and turning. It's a great feeling, apart from the downward kicks. They're not very pleasant at all.""It feels like big muscle spasms and ripples. It's like there's a party going on in there sometimes!""It's like my little one is punching me. My belly pops out when they move and it stretches out when they turn around. The movements are stronger now but they're not painful."Advertisement | page continues belowPhoto credit: Nathan Haniger for BabyCenter

28 to 31 weeks

"The kicks feel like little taps or knocks. Some are stronger than others but I can't quite place where they're coming from.""It feels like my womb is a washing machine with a frog in it.""Sometimes there's a strange rippling sensation across the front of my tummy."Photo credit: iStock.com / BassittART

32 to 35 weeks

"My baby always feels like they're stretching out in my belly, like they're doing a 'downward dog' yoga position! My whole tummy suddenly changes shape.""Like there's a kitchen mixer in my stomach and a pepper grinder on my cervix.""My baby's movements feel like they're stretching out a lot. I can see a little foot or knee push up against the top of my stomach sometimes."Photo credit: Nathan Haniger for BabyCenter

36 to 40 weeks

"It feels like there's a wrestling match going on inside me!""My baby's movements still feel really strong, but like everything is in slow motion now.""It feels like something heavy sliding from one end of a shelf to another." If you're at all concerned about your baby's movements at any stage of your pregnancy, speak to your midwife straight away. More on baby movements:

• How often should you feel your baby move?
• Is it normal for your baby's kicks to hurt? Our expert has the answer.
• Is it normal for your baby to get hiccups in the womb?

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Track your pregnancy on our free #1 pregnancy & baby appFrancesca Whiting

Francesca Whiting is digital content executive at BabyCentre. She’s responsible for making sure BabyCentre’s health content is accurate, helpful and easy to understand.

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