Your Baby's Movements During Pregnancy

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Your baby's movements

You will probably become aware of your baby’s movements between 16 and 24 weeks of pregnancy.

The movements can feel like a gentle swirling or fluttering. As your pregnancy progresses, you may feel kicks and jerky movements. Most babies settle into a pattern by 24 weeks.

Urgent advice: Talk to your midwife, obstetrician or maternity hospital immediately if:

• you are worried about your baby's movements

Do not wait until the next day to get advice.

If movements change, reduce or stop, it can sometimes be the first sign that your baby is unwell. Around half of women who had a stillbirth noticed that their baby's movements had slowed down or stopped.

How often your baby should move

There is no set number of movements that is normal. Every baby is different. You need to become aware of what is normal for your baby. Your baby will have their own pattern of movements that you will get to know.

From 16 to 24 weeks on, you should feel your baby move more and more, up until 32 weeks. From 32 onwards the movements stay roughly the same until you give birth.

Non-urgent advice: Contact your midwife, obstetrician or maternity hospital if:

Contact your midwife, obstetrician or maternity hospital if:

• you still have not felt your baby moving by 24 weeks

They will check your baby's heartbeat and movements.

If your baby stops moving or moves less often

Your baby’s movements are important, because feeling your baby move is a sign they are well. If your baby's pattern of movements slow down, increase or stop, it can sometimes be the first sign that your baby is unwell.

If you do not feel your baby moving, talk to your midwife, obstetrician or maternity hospital. Even if this happens many times, get checked each time.

Do not use home dopplers

Using a home doppler (heartbeat monitor) or an app is not recommended. Always get checked by your doctor or midwife instead.

Babies do not move less towards the end of pregnancy

It is not true that babies move less towards the end of pregnancy. You should continue to feel your baby moving throughout the pregnancy.

Urgent advice: Contact your midwife, obstetrician or maternity hospital immediately if:

• your baby's pattern of movements slow down, increase or stop

Do not wait until tomorrow.

Information:

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More in Baby development

• Your baby's movements
• Brain development during pregnancy

Page last reviewed: 10 January 2023 Next review due: 10 January 2026