Feeling your baby’s movements

Feeling your baby move is a sign that they are well.

Most women usually begin to feel their baby move between 16 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. A baby’s movements can be described as anything from a kick or a flutter, to a swish or a roll. The type of movement may change as your pregnancy progresses.

How often should my baby move?

There is no set number of normal movements. Your baby will have their own pattern of movements that you should get to know.

From 16-24 weeks on, you should feel your baby move more and more, up until 32 weeks, when it normally stays roughly the same until you give birth.

It’s NOT TRUE that babies move less towards the end of pregnancy.

You should continue to feel your baby move right up to the time you go into labour, and whilst you’re in labour too.

If you’re worried about your baby’s movements, you MUST NOT wait until the next day to seek advice.

If you think your baby’s movements have slowed down or stopped completely, contact your midwife or maternity team immediately. We’re staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Don’t wait to see what happens or worry about phoning. It’s important for us to know if your baby’s movements have slowed or stopped.

Why are my baby’s movements important?

A reduction in a baby’s movements can sometimes be an important warning sign that a baby is unwell. Around half of women who had a stillbirth noticed their baby’s movements had slowed down or stopped.

Don’t use hand-held monitors, dopplers, or phone-apps to check your baby’s heartbeat. Even if you detect a heartbeat, this doesn’t mean your baby is well.

What if my baby’s movements reduce again?

If, after your check up, you’re still not happy with your baby’s movement, you must contact either your midwife or maternity unit straight away – even if everything was normal last time.

NEVER HESITATE to contact us for advice, no matter how many times this happens

Contact details

Scunthorpe General Hospital: 03033 306999

Goole Midwife Centre: 03033 304079

Goole Midwifery Clinic: 03033 304088

Scunthorpe Antenatal Day Unit: 03033 302182

Scunthorpe Central Delivery Suite: 03033 302270

Scunthorpe Ward 26 (antenatal and postnatal): 03033 302079

Scunthorpe Town Team Community Midwives: 03033 303088

Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital: 03033 306999

Grimsby/ Louth Community: 03033 305232

Grimsby/ Louth Antenatal Day Unit: 03033 303129

Blueberry Team: 03033 303128

Holly Team: 03033 304790

Honeysuckle Team: 03033 304794

Jasmine Team: 03033 304787