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Foetal Movement Awareness

If you feel your baby’s movements are reduced or have changed, contact the hospital immediately. Do not wait until the next day. Do not rely on home doppler kits.
You must NOT WAIT until the next day to seek advice if you are worried about your baby’s movements

Get to know your baby's pattern

Feeling your baby move is a sign that they are well. Every baby is different, and getting to know your own baby’s individual pattern of movement is one of the most important things you can do in pregnancy.

This page explains when movements typically start, what is “normal” for your baby, and most importantly what to do if anything changes.

When will I start to feel my baby move?

Most women are first aware of their baby moving when they are 18–20 weeks pregnant. If this is your first pregnancy, you may not become aware of movements until you are more than 20 weeks pregnant. If you have been pregnant before, you may feel movements as early as 16 weeks.

Pregnant women feel their unborn baby’s movements as a kick, flutter, swish or roll. As your baby develops, both the number and type of movements will change with your baby’s activity pattern.

What's "normal" for my baby?

There is no set number of normal movements. Your baby will have their own pattern that you should get to know.

A few helpful facts:

  • Usually, afternoon and evening are times of peak activity for your baby.
  • During both day and night, your baby has sleep periods that mostly last between 20 and 40 minutes, and are rarely longer than 90 minutes. Your baby will not usually move during these sleep periods.
  • The number of movements tends to increase until 32 weeks of pregnancy and then stays about the same, although the type of movement may change as you get nearer to your due date.
  • A reduction or a change in your baby’s movements is what’s important — much more than counting individual movements.

What if I think movements have reduced?

Always seek professional help immediately from your local maternity unit. Do not put off calling until the next day to see what happens. Never go to sleep ignoring a reduction in your baby’s movements.

Please do not rely on any home kits you may have for listening to your baby’s heartbeat — these can be falsely reassuring.

Key points to remember

  • Feeling your baby move is a sign that they are well.
  • Every woman should be aware of her own baby’s individual pattern of movement.
  • It is important to let a doctor or midwife know if you have a significant reduction or sudden alteration in foetal movement.
  • Do not put off calling until the next day to see what happens.
  • A baby’s movements do not “slow down” before labour. This is a common myth. Movements should continue right up to and during labour.
  • It’s better to call once too often than once too late. Maternity staff would rather see you for reassurance ten times than miss a problem once.