Your baby’s movements

Your baby’s movements are an important way to monitor the health of your baby. As your pregnancy progresses, your baby’s movements will become more noticeable from flutters to rolls, punches and kicks.

You will most probably notice movement between 16-24 weeks pregnant. According to Kicks Count: “from 16 – 24 weeks on you should feel your baby move more and more until 32 weeks. After 32 weeks, movements should stay roughly the same until you give birth.”

While there isn’t a correct number of kicks to watch out for, getting to know the pattern of your baby’s movements can be important, so you can notice if it slows or stops.

What to do if your baby’s movements change

If you think your baby’s movements have changed, it is important to be checked out immediately – contact your maternity unit (or the nearest one if you are away from home) which could also have a pregnancy assessment unit.

Maternity units are open 24/7 to help and support you – please don’t put it off or wait until tomorrow. Expectant parents sometimes worry that they are making a fuss or might be wasting a midwife’s time – YOU ARE NOT WASTING ANYONE’S TIME by getting your baby checked out.

Whenever you have any concerns about your baby’s movements, please seek help – it doesn’t matter how many times you do this! Kicks Count have a helpful post about what to expect when you seek help for reduced movements.

Updated guidance also states that if you feel that your baby’s movements have changed, seek help straight away rather than trying to make your baby move.