First movements

[Seekingmiracles]

I'm desperate to feel my baby move - 18 weeks today. After 4mc's, this time between scans is awful. Movement will reassure me that everything is ok in there.
So when did you all feel your first move? I know it's normally between now and 20 weeks - just curious.

[LittleLionMansMummy]

From memory with my first it was around 16 weeks but I didn't realise what it was until perhaps 18 weeks when they became a little stronger and more regular. This time I'm 13 weeks and swear I've felt a few flutters already, but don't think that's possible so early! I reckon you'll feel yours any day now!

[LittleLionMansMummy]

Oh and just to say please don't be worried by people like me coming here and saying they felt theirs early! I think I'm the exception to the rule tbh and you're right that for most women it's closer to 18-20 with their first. Every pregnancy is different though. Try not to become anxious about it and good luck with everything - enjoy!

[ThinkPinkStink]

seeking I'm nearly 20 wks and sometimes in bed late at night I feel flutters that are not just wind my innards. But I'm not wholly sure it's the baby. I can't wait for the regular and clear movements.

I feel your pain, it feels like I'm living from scan to scan. That burst of happiness and reassurance that everything is okay, then many weeks of quickly encroaching worry. It's so scary.

Good luck, I am sure you'll feel definite movements soon!!

[MyBreadIsEggy]

Wasn't until 21/22 weeks with my first - was definitely after the anomaly scan, because I remember seeing her wiggling around like crazy on the screen and thinking "why can't I feel that?!"
I'm 16 weeks with DC2 at the moment and am anticipating movements......everytime I feel a fart rumble in my belly I get excited and think "ooo! Is that the baby?", but then a few seconds later paarrrrrrp! - No. Just a fart

[Hopelass]

I'll be 18 weeks on Friday with DC#2 and have hardly felt anything. I felt DC#1 around 19 weeks and had an anterior placenta so wondering if I've got the same again. Will find out at the scan in a couple of weeks. Please don't worry the baby is only the size of a sweet potato and if you have an anterior placenta this could be dulling any movements.

[Laus13]

I'm 21 weeks tomorrow and finally felt something a few days ago!
I'd heard about bubbles and indigestion, but for me it felt like tapping from inside. A little weird!
Also, that feeling you get in your stomach when it's empty. I felt like that, but lower down under my belly button. I've since realised that's the baby squirming a little.
It's only awake for about 6 hours, so to feel something when you're awake or not doing something is unlikely! Of course, you do sync at some point when they have a wriggle and you're having a sit down.
Best of luck for your pregnancy!

[Laus13]

Sorry! 20 weeks! Getting ahead of myself!

[YorkieDorkie]

18 weeks on the dot I got a single kick! Then my DH could feel them a week later.

[Mumandmama]

I'm 20 weeks win dc2 and only just feeling movements. Please try not to worry OP. The sonographer told me they lack the oomph until around now to really make themselves known, although you'll always hear from people who've felt their baby moving from 13 weeks etc...

[JulieBolton79]

FTM and first movement wasn't until 21 weeks. I bought a fetal Doppler off amazon for reassurance until 20wk scan as I had bleeding. After I felt movement I've not used it as I prefer to listen to my body.
Everyone is different and first babies are often later.
After I felt movements I actually realised I'd felt similar flutters before but just didn't recognise them.
I'm 37wks now and regularly get a good kicking

[Kariana]

I feel your pain, it feels like I'm living from scan to scan. That burst of happiness and reassurance that everything is okay, then many weeks of quickly encroaching worry. It's so scary.

This is so me, even though mine was fairly early to move, about 16 weeks. To be honest though I am very small so the baby doesn't have a lot of room to kick without hitting part of me. Last night (18 weeks exactly) it had such a good go I could feel my stomach moving.

That said feeling the movements hasn't actually helped with reassurance as much as I hoped. It's all very well when it goes for it but when the movements are so small you convince yourself it's not baby, or when you feel nothing for days in between, it is incredibly stressful. I recently bought a doppler to hear the heartbeat and I would highly recommend it. Less than £30 off Amazon including paying for next day delivery and now I feel much better. Wish I'd done it so much earlier! I would highly recommend it.

[FanofFlan]

I'm a FTM and felt movement at around 19 weeks but for a while I mistook it for wind

[MyKingdomForBrie]

It can really depend where the placenta is. I felt mine from 16 weeks as placenta was at the back, my friend who just had her 20 week scan hadn't felt any movement yet but her placenta was at the front, hence feeling nothing through it!

[Seekingmiracles]

Thanks for all your words of wisdom ladies. Realistically I know everyone is different but just needed the reassurance!
I'm not overly keen on the idea of a home Doppler - midwife put me off, saying it can be more dangerous and cause more anxiety - a lot of people mistake their own pulse of the babies heartbeat or have no idea if the rhythm they're hearing is a healthy one. Think I'll have to just wait it out

[JulieBolton79]

I understand how a Doppler can make people obsessed as it's easy to check all the time.
I'm glad I got mine and can honestly say mixing up the HB with your own in very difficult as the baby's is so much faster.
Each to there own though your baby your choice.
Fx for movement soon X

[ThinkPinkStink]

I'm scared to get a Doppler, I'm quite an anxious buggar by nature - so I try really hard not to 'feed the beast'...

[JulieBolton79]

I can understand why it sometimes does more harm than good.
I personally had a MW despite repeated bleeding who wouldn't listen for a HB at my 16wk apt as it was 'too early' I bought my own off amazon and found it within 5 minutes.
I do however think you should listen to what your body tells you with movements later on and not a Doppler. X

[hopeful31yrs]

I felt DD1 early at 15 weeks but i've actually felt this one from 12 weeks onward (14 weeks on sat). I am getting strong kicks in the evening.

[JulieBolton79]

I don't think any health professional is concerned about no movement until at least 24wks X

[sarahcooper]

Felt first early at about 15 weeks. Currently pregnant and didn't feel this one until around 20 weeks, probably due to anterior placenta. I worried too especially as meant to feel sooner with second. Now I have a very wriggly 36-weeker! All will be fine, it's normal not to have felt it yet

[sarahcooper]

Oh and I couldn't have coped without a home Doppler in the early days!

[JulieBolton79]

Agree Sarah

Like you mine moved later now at 37wks likes to wriggle.

That will be you soon seeking

[Seekingmiracles]

Thank you everyone

[greenlizard]

21 weeks for my first and 17 weeks with number 2 but they are quite light and it's only because I recognise them. I know it is a long time between 12 weeks and 20! I heard the HE at 16 week midwife check which made me feel better (for a while!). It won't be long now!

[LittleLionMansMummy]

I apparently have a posterior placenta, so looks like I'm right about feeling movement so early this time around!