One of the most thrilling parts of pregnancy is feeling your baby move. These movements are signs that your baby is thriving. Your pregnancy care team may ask questions about the timing and frequency of your baby’s kicks. With the following guide, you’ll be prepared to discuss these magical moments with your doctor.

A Guide to Your Baby's Movements

1. When Should You First Feel Movement?

Most mothers first feel their baby move during their second trimester, or anywhere between 16 and 25 weeks of your pregnancy. For most women who are pregnant for the first time, kicking begins on the later side of this time frame. With subsequent pregnancies, however, it’s more likely that women will feel fetal movement early in the second trimester.

2. How Often Should I Feel Movement?

Your baby’s movements may be infrequent at first, but they’ll kick more as they develop. By the third trimester, babies move dozens of times each hour, taking breaks only to sleep. Pregnant women often find that their babies are most active at night.

3. Should I Track My Baby’s Kicking?

While not an essential component of pregnancy care, some doctors advise tracking fetal movement to monitor the activity of developing babies. Tracking can help identify behaviors that seem to trigger activity in your baby and can aid you in looking out for any changes that should be evaluated by your doctor. Additionally, monitoring movement can be a helpful indicator for pregnancy care professionals to gauge development in high-risk pregnancies. For a baseline, record the time it takes for your baby to produce 10 movements. It should take less than two hours. If it takes longer, speak to your doctor, but don’t panic. Some babies are less inclined to kick than others. 

If you’re seeking an experienced team of doctors to support your baby’s growth and development at every stage of your pregnancy, contact Genesee Valley Obstetrics & Gynecology. With state-of-the-art offices in Rochester and Penfield, NY, their compassionate and respectful team makes quality pregnancy care accessible and convenient for women throughout the Rochester, NY community. They also offer services that promote women’s health, such as birth control consultations and routine gynecological exams. Learn more about their locations and hours by visiting their website, or call (585) 232-3210 to schedule an appointment.