Pregnancy and your baby's movements

Your pēpi (baby) will be active during your entire pregnancy. You will first start to feel them move when you are between 16 and 22 weeks pregnant. Find out what to expect.

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What you feel when your pēpi moves

You will first feel your pēpi move in your second trimester, usually some time after 16 weeks. At first you will not feel movement often. But as your pēpi grows, their movements will become obvious, and you will feel them more often.

You will feel flutters or swishing movements at first, and then kicking and rolling. You may feel hiccups (small rhythmic twitches) during the last trimester. All these movements are obvious in the last months of pregnancy. You should feel them right up to the time you go into labour.

What you will not feel

You will not feel small movements such as thumb sucking or stretching of fingers and toes.

Usually, an active pēpi is a healthy pēpi. Some people may not feel their pēpi move as much as others, even though they are doing well.

If you are a larger person, or your placenta is at the front of your uterus, you may not feel your baby's movements as strongly.

When babies move

Pēpi do not move all the time, even when they are perfectly healthy. All healthy pēpi are quiet or asleep at times. Before birth, pēpi have similar sleep and wake cycles to those of a newborn. You may start to notice a pattern over time.

When they are awake, a healthy pēpi will usually move at least 10 times in 2 hours.

Your pēpi should be active during your entire pregnancy, including in the last few weeks. You may notice a change in the type of movements you feel in the last few weeks of your pregnancy as your pēpi has less room.

If you are concerned about your baby's movements

Normal movements are a sign of a healthy pēpi. If your pēpi has stopped moving as much, it may be a cause for concern. Call your midwife or doctor immediately if:

  • your pēpi does not move all day
  • your pēpi moves less and less during the day
  • you are concerned that your pēpi is not moving enough.

Never wait until the next day. Most of the time, your midwife or doctor will check your baby's heartbeat and do some tests.

Get to know your baby's movements

Being aware of your baby's movements each day is a good habit to get into during pregnancy. You do not need to keep a written record of them, but you may want to. 

From 28 weeks (third trimester) it is good to spend some time getting to know your baby's usual pattern of movement and rest. Most pēpi move around more in the morning and evening.

When your pēpi is awake you can practise feeling for movements. You will feel them best when you relax while lying or sitting down. You will feel them least while standing or walking, or if you are busy with other things.