Key takeaways

  • Each pregnancy is unique, and fetuses vary in how active they are. Someone can learn what is normal for their fetus by monitoring how much they usually move and paying attention to any changes in this pattern.
  • People do not usually experience fetal movement in the first trimester. They may begin to feel movement, which can feel like fluttering, in the second trimester and more vigorous movement in the third trimester.
  • Increased movement is not typically a cause for concern. Decreased movement can occur when a fetus is napping, if they are very large in the third trimester, or if they experience complications.

It is a good idea for someone to monitor how much their fetus typically moves, especially during the third trimester.

Although decreased movement is not always a cause for concern, a fetus may be less active if they are ill or have another problem. People should contact a doctor or midwife if they notice changes in the pattern of movements.

This article explains how much fetal movement to expect in each trimester, what may cause increases and decreases, and when to contact a doctor.

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Each pregnancy is different, and people may feel more or less movement than others at the same stage of pregnancy. People may also have different experiences than during previous pregnancies.

Pregnant people do not typically experience fetal movement during the first 12 weeks, which is the first trimester.

Second trimester

During the second trimester, 13 to 28 weeks, symptoms of morning sickness, such as nausea, begin to recede for many people. The abdomen may expand more noticeably, and a pregnant person usually begins to notice fetal movement.

People refer to the first fetal movements as quickening. Quickening occurs during 16 to 22 weeks of pregnancy. The movements begin as a gentle fluttering sensation that the pregnant person can feel, but others may not notice when they touch the pregnant person’s abdomen.

According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), people should speak with a healthcare professional if they do not feel any movement by 24 weeks. They will check the fetus’s heartbeat and movements.

Third trimester

In the third trimester, from weeks 29 to 40, the position of the fetus may drop lower in the abdomen.

A pregnant person may notice stronger, more vigorous fetal movement. They may also notice new movements and sensations, such as fetal hiccups. The fetus may be busier at certain times of day, and movement may be more subtle at other times.

Most healthcare experts recommend monitoring fetal movement, especially in the third trimester. People should be aware of typical daily movement so they can judge whether the fetus is moving more, less, or the same amount as on other days.

Some healthcare professionals may recommend doing a formal fetal movement count (FMC), which some call a kick count. This involves a pregnant person counting fetal movements at around the same time every day.

If there are fewer than 10 fetal movements in a two- to three-hour period, people may benefit from contacting their doctor.

Gabrielle’s story: How fetal movement can feel

“With my first pregnancy, I was surprised by how gentle the movements felt. People often warned me about being jabbed in the ribs and losing sleep, but in my case, it felt more like butterfly flutters moving around my belly. It was soft and sweet.

“My oldest daughter also had the hiccups a lot, which felt like popcorn popping in my belly, and that was a funny sensation! I expected the fetal movement to be much more intense—it definitely got more prominent closer to the end, but it never bothered me. What surprised me most was the hiccups—I never knew babies did that in the womb.

“My experience with my second daughter was completely different! She was much more active, almost like she was doing flips or acrobatics, creating big waves across my stomach. My belly would even look lop-sided at times because of how she was moving or lying! Even then, it never felt painful, just different.

“For both pregnancies, I noticed movement most at night when I was relaxed, after a big meal, or while sitting still during work meetings. The quieter I was, the more active they seemed to be. I started noticing movement in the second trimester, and by my second pregnancy, I recognized the sensations more quickly since I knew what to expect.”

Some reasons for decreased fetal movement are not a cause for concern. For example, a fetus may move less when napping or resting.

In most cases, there are no abnormalities or medical problems. According to a 2020 article, reasons for reduced movement may include:

If the fetus does not move during a later kick count or is less active than usual, it is important to speak with a doctor. Potentially concerning reasons for lower movement include:

  • fetal growth restriction, which is when a fetus is smaller than expected
  • low amniotic fluid, which is the fluid that surrounds a fetus
  • problems with the placenta
  • stillbirth

An increase in fetal movement is not typically a cause for concern and does not correlate with adverse outcomes, such as:

People may feel increases in fetal movement when their cortisol levels rise, which can occur due to physical activity.

According to a 2019 study, it is common for fetal movement to increase or feel excessive after 37 weeks. This may be because the fetus is large enough to feel more easily.

Health organizations do not typically recommend contacting a doctor for increased fetal movement. However, if the increase differs considerably from the usual movement pattern, people can speak with a healthcare professional for further support and advice.

The NHS recommends contacting a healthcare professional immediately if the following occur:

  • the fetus is moving less than usual
  • the usual pattern of the fetus’s movements changes
  • the pregnant person cannot feel the fetus moving anymore

A healthcare professional will check the fetus’s heartbeat and movements to ensure complications are not present.

The NHS also states that people should not rely on home heartbeat listening kits as an indicator of fetal health. These cannot give a complete picture of a fetus’s health.

A fetus may not move the same way every day and may be more energetic at certain times than others. People should learn and monitor the general day-to-day movement patterns of their fetus.

Slight changes may not be a cause for concern. However, anyone with concerns about fetal movement can speak with a healthcare professional for help and support.

Activities that increase cortisol levels, such as exercise, may lead to increased fetal movement. When exercising during pregnancy, it is important to work with a healthcare professional to ensure that a person does not overexert or injure themselves.

A 2019 study suggests people may be more likely to feel fetal movement when sitting quietly compared with other activities, such as eating or drinking a cold drink.

Activity levels vary from one fetus to another. A pregnant person can monitor fetal movements from the third trimester to understand the general daily pattern.

A fetus may be more active at certain times of the day or when the pregnant person carries out certain activities, and movement may increase as the pregnancy progresses.

Decreases in movement, a lack of movement, or changes in the usual fetal movement patterns require immediate assessment from a doctor.