One of the most exciting moments in your pregnancy is when you feel those first little flutters of your baby kicking. These tiny movements reassure you that your baby is developing and help you feel closer to the little life inside you.
You should feel your baby’s first movements, called “quickening,” between weeks 16 and 22 of your pregnancy. If this is your first pregnancy, you may not feel your baby move until closer to 22 weeks. By the second pregnancy, some women start to feel movements as early as 15 weeks. You’re more likely to feel baby move when you’re in a quiet position, either sitting or lying down.
Early in your pregnancy, you may just feel a few flutters every now and then. But as your baby grows — usually by the end of the second trimester — the kicks should grow stronger and more frequent.
To count movements, pick a time when your baby is usually most active (Studies have shown that its usually at night, the reason for this has not been proven). Try and do this once a day and write the result in a diary so you can track it. Get into a comfortable position either sitting down in a comfortable chair or lying on your side. If you lie down, lie on your left side, so your baby will have better circulation.
Opinion varies as to how to count your baby’s movements, one way is to keep a diary and note the time it takes for your baby to make 10 movements. You should feel at least 10 movements within a 2-hour period. Write the time down in the diary for that day.
If your baby has started to move regularly and you don’t feel at least 10 movements within a 2-hour period, or the movements have slowed significantly, it’s time to call your doctor.