The short explanation
Most women first feel movements between about the sixteenth and twenty-fourth week. In a first pregnancy it is often later, and the early feelings can be like flutters, bubbles or a light tapping that is easy to mistake for gas. In later pregnancies women often notice them sooner. Once the movements become regular, the aim is not to count to a fixed number but to get to know your baby's own pattern: when it is usually active, how it feels, and how much you usually notice. Kicks, rolls and swishes all count. From then until birth, a reduction or change in that pattern is a reason to call the hospital the same day.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- The position of the placenta matters. If it lies at the front of the womb, movements may feel softer or be noticed later.
- You may feel less when you are busy at work or with housework; lying on your side for a while and paying attention helps you notice.
- Babies do not move less towards the end of pregnancy. The type of movement may change as space gets tighter, but the amount should continue.
- If you have not felt any movement by about the twenty-fourth week, tell your clinician.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This cannot tell you how your own baby is doing. Only a clinician can check that if you notice a change.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- When should I expect to feel movements in my pregnancy?
- Does my placenta position change how I will feel them?
- What should I do if I notice fewer movements?
- Who do I call at night or on a holiday?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to the nearest hospital labour ward if you stop feeling the baby move, or if reduced movements come with bleeding, pain or leaking fluid.
Get help the same day
- Get care the same day if you notice the movements are fewer or weaker than usual.
Book an appointment soon
- See your clinician within a few days if you are past twenty-four weeks and have still not felt movements.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Discuss movements at your routine antenatal visits.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Pregnancy MedlinePlus (NIH)
- Prenatal care MedlinePlus (NIH)
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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