Why Do Babies Kick Inside the Womb?

For pregnant women, feeling their baby's movements for the first time is a special moment filled with joy and anticipation. As the baby develops, the movement becomes more frequent and easier to feel, signaling a well developing baby.

Significance

Babies move inside the womb as they develop, stretching and flexing as they grow, reacting to sounds, their mother's emotions, foods the mother consumed, and the position their mother is in.

Quickening

According to Americanpregnancy.org, quickening is the first fetal movement a pregnant woman feels. Quickening is described as feeling like flutters and typically is felt between 13 and 25 weeks.

Types

Your baby's movements will come in different forms from kicks and flutters to swishes and rolls. Babies move the most between 24 and 28 weeks when they have plenty of room to move around.

Kick Counts

Your doctor may recommend keeping track of your baby's movements in the morning during less active periods and during more active evening hours beginning around week 28.

Warning

Each baby is unique and moves in different patterns throughout the day. If you notice a change in your baby's kick counts, or your baby's movement has stopped or feels panicky, contact your doctor.

References

• American Pregnancy Association
• "What to Expect When You're Expecting"; Heidi Murkoff, Arlene Eisenberg and Sandee Hathaway, B.S.N.; 2002