Feeling the kick or movement of the baby in the womb is a special moment that is awaited by most mothers during pregnancy. When, the hell, generally the baby's movements began to be felt?
The movement of the fetus will increasingly feel pregnant with increasing gestational age. This movement is a sign that the baby is growing and developing well, it can also be a form of response to the emotions that the pregnant woman feels or the sounds she hears.
The Age of the Baby in the womb begins to move
Babies in the womb are usually moving since 12 weeks of pregnancy. However, because her body is still too small, pregnant women can't feel it yet. At 16 weeks, these movements may be felt but are so small that you may not notice them.
For women who are pregnant with their first child, the movement of the baby in the womb is usually only felt when the pregnancy has reached the age of 18-20 weeks. Meanwhile, for those who are pregnant with their second child or more, the movement of the baby in the womb can usually be felt when the gestational age is 16-18 weeks.
For fathers or others, fetal movements can usually be felt when holding the pregnant woman's stomach at 20 weeks of gestation. This can be different in each pregnancy because it depends on the level of activity of the baby in the womb and also the thickness of the abdominal wall.
Stages of Baby Movement in the womb
If pregnant women don't feel the baby move, don't worry too much. Sometimes the movement of the baby in the new womb will be felt, if the baby moves all his limbs for a long time. The position of the baby in the womb also determines whether the movement will be felt or not.
Below are the stages of baby movement in the womb according to gestational age:
1. 16–19 weeks of gestation
This is the first movement of the baby in the womb that the pregnant woman can notice. Pregnant women may feel like there are butterflies flying in the stomach.
2. Gestational age 20−23 weeks
You may feel light kicks or repetitive movements when your baby has hiccups. During this period, pregnant women will begin to feel movements that are getting stronger every week. Pregnant women will also notice a pattern whenever the baby will move.
3. Gestational age 24−28 weeks
In this period, the baby's movements will be more pronounced because generally the volume of amniotic fluid will increase. This gives the baby plenty of room to move more freely.
4. Gestational age 29-31 weeks
At 7 months pregnant, pregnant women can feel their kicks getting stronger. Pregnant women will also be able to feel the baby is moving around as if looking for a space larger than the uterus.
5. Gestational age 32-35 weeks
At 32 weeks of gestation, the movement of the baby in the womb is at its peak so that the movement will be felt. After that, as the pregnancy progresses, the baby's movements may become more limited and slower but feel stronger.
6. 36−40 weeks gestation
At 9 months of gestation, the baby's head is generally in a downward position and its movements begin to slow down. Even so, the movement of his elbows and kicks may have made the pregnant woman's stomach uncomfortable.
pregnant, Come on, Count Baby Movements Every Day
Initially, the movement of the baby in the womb is not very pronounced. However, towards the end of the second trimester of pregnancy, the movements will become stronger and more frequent. In the third trimester of pregnancy, the baby's movements can reach 30 times in 1 hour.
The longer pregnant women will also realize that the baby is often more active at certain hours. Every baby has its own pattern and rhythm of movement, so every pregnant woman will have a different experience.
When pregnant women are going to sleep at night, which is around 21.00–01.00, babies are usually more active, especially in the third trimester. This is thought to be caused by changes in blood sugar levels in the body.
Pregnant women can count how many times the baby moves in 1 hour or how long it takes for 10 movements. Pregnant women can start counting like this at 28 weeks pregnant. To calculate the movement, pregnant women are advised to choose the same time every day.
Counting the baby's movements in the womb is important to do, because this can be a pregnant woman's way of ensuring the baby's health. If the baby does not move as usual, pregnant women can immediately consult a doctor and undergo examinations, such as ultrasound examination or examination of amniotic fluid.