Movement

Fetal movements are key markers of fetal health throughout pregnancy. A woman’s general awareness of these movements, their pattern, and their increasing strength serves as a critical benchmark when assessing any potential decrease in movement; this awareness also serves as an important bonding exercise.

Fetal movements are characterized by frequency, intensity, pattern, and duration, and are commonly described as flutters, bubbles popping, hiccups, gentle kicks, puffs of air, rolling, butterflies, stretching, turning, and swishes.

Movement can be observed as early as 8 to 10 weeks of pregnancy via ultrasound but is usually not felt – by first-time mothers – until around 18 to 22 weeks (known as “quickening”).  Women who have previously felt fetal movements may feel movement as early as 16 weeks in subsequent pregnancies.

An experienced HCP may be able to feel fetal movement through the abdomen by 20 weeks.

From 10 to 20 weeks of pregnancy, fetal body movements are usually never absent for more than an average of 13 minutes. From 20 weeks onward, the fetus likely moves at least once every minute and is active an estimated 10% to 30% of the day.

The greatest frequency of fetal movements appears to be in the late evening; it is also theorized that male fetuses tend to be more active than females.

Between 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy, movements become organized and the fetus starts to show sleep-awake (or rest-activity) cycles.

The frequency of fetal movements reaches a plateau around 32 weeks and stays at that frequency until birth. While the character of fetal movements changes when pregnancy approaches 40 weeks due to limited space in the uterus, the frequency and strength does not normally decrease.

In normal pregnancies, there is a wide range in the number of fetal movements in any given hour, and many outside factors can temporarily affect frequency.  However, some complications – especially late in pregnancy – have been associated with a decrease in fetal movement. Therefore, awareness of a decrease in movement may be useful as a “warning sign".

A study published in July 2021 investigated cases of stillbirth to identify associations with reduced fetal movements (RFM). The study confirmed the relationship between RFM and placental insufficiency among study participants. Placental insufficiency is a term used when the placenta cannot adequately delivery oxygen and nutrients to a fetus.

Overall, reduced fetal movements appear to be associated with fetal growth restriction, placental problems, fetal hypoxia (lack of oxygen), true umbilical cord knots, congenital malformations, small for gestational age, preterm birth, and stillbirth. However, these complications are rare, and there are numerous factors that can give the perception of a decrease in fetal movement such as:

Any woman concerned about her baby’s movement during pregnancy should call her HCP.

Due to a reduction in fetal movement prior to the complications described above, it is theorized that if women are aware of their babies’ movements, and detect a decrease, that potential early intervention (such as delivery) can prevent those complications.

There is no normal – only abnormal for one particular fetus. In normal pregnancies, there is a wide range in the number of fetal movements in any given hour, and no particular “number” regarding frequency per hour has been established (i.e. there is no “a baby should move X number of times in X amount of time").

However, because there is very little variation in movement in a specific pregnancy, as fetuses settle into patterns, the important distinction is for women to recognize a change in movement pertaining to their baby’s normal pattern of movement.

HCPs recommend that pregnant women start learning a general awareness of their babies’ movements around 28 weeks of pregnancy and continuing until delivery.  Paying attention to fetal movements without distraction can also positively enhance bonding between mother and baby.

Note: It is a commonly held belief that eating or drinking something cold or sugary will stimulate fetal movements, but this is not backed by evidence. However, it is known that movements may not be felt very often by women who are distracted, standing, or sitting, and may be felt best when a woman lies on her left side, free of distraction, and concentrates on movements.

If there is a change or decrease in a baby’s normal pattern of activity, the woman is advised to call her HCP, who will perform an ultrasound and/or a nonstress test. Concern of decreased fetal movement is a common cause of HCP visits in the third trimester.

Interest in kick-counting was very high during the 1970s and 80s when research indicated the use of these charts reduced stillbirth rates.  However, additional research from the late 1980s through the present has determined that since there is no “normal” number of fetal movements, then kick-counting may not be accurate, especially when using “ten movements in two hours” .

Women need to determine what method works best for them.  Even though "ten movements in two hours" may not be accurate for all pregnancies, it may be helpful to use these charts not to reach a certain number in a certain amount of time, but to help determine a baby’s pattern.  Other women may not need a chart and will recognize their baby’s patterns in a more passive way, while focusing on the quality of movement.

A woman’s attention to her own baby’s movement is an important tool during pregnancy since reliable monitoring of fetal movement patterns outside a doctor’s office or hospital is not available. Although some companies are attempting to find a “wearable” device at home that can monitor movement accurately, the technology to do so does not currently exist.

A potential cause or definition of “excessive” fetal movements is not known and information regarding excessive movements is very limited.  It has been theorized that true excessive movement could represent a sign of distress, seizures (infection/lack of oxygen), or an attempt to detangle from the cord (but current evidence does not support this).

Whether a woman chooses to have a general awareness of her baby's movements, or decides to use kick-counting to achieve this is completely up to her; these methods are meant to help reassure women and relieve anxiety.

Women should always try to concentrate on their baby's movements whenever they can. The most optimal way may be to find a quiet place to lie down (on left side) and be free of distraction. Doing this properly usually provides significant comfort, reassurance, and tends to prevent "false-alarms".

However, any woman concerned about her baby’s movement (or lack thereof) during pregnancy should call her HCP. While it is understandable that women may be afraid to schedule a "false-alarm" visit, women should also understand that calling as soon as they notice a potential change could possibly prevent complications (although these are rare).

Women should also consider sharing their fetal movement experience below for other pregnancy women, to include when they first felt movement and what the movement felt like.

Fetal Movement (StatPearls/NCBI)