Scared to feel the kicks

[Kellyandherbump]

I've always been one to find pregnancy scary, having a human grow inside of you, the unknown of it all and all the changes... not to mention the day where you're in the most pain your body has ever had to endure. It's scary! I'm almost 8 weeks pregnant with my first child and I am over the moon and beyond happy! Yet there's this huge amount of fear when it comes to the stage when the baby starts to kick... will I freak out? Will it hurt unbearably? Will I doubt myself being capable of this? And that's not even at the birth stage is it ... do you see my worry 🙁

It doesn't hurt at all. I've had 3 DCs and it feels more like a push than a kick.

It doesn’t hurt, and at the start all you can feel is basically a little gas, like bubbles popping in your belly, and as baby grows you eventually feel more and bigger movements so you get used to it as baby grows anyway. But it’s not painful.

Honestly, the kicks don’t hurt. I found it comforting. A kick may take you by surprise though! Once dd did a massive somersault which scared dh as he happened to be looking at me at the time but I loved it.

It won't hurt you, it's more little flutters in the beginning and then it's just baby pushing against you. I loved feeling all my babies move inside me. I'm sure you will love it too.

I've had 3 children and I've always found feeling baby move and kick incredible! It's absolutely amazing and doesn't hurt at all, try not to worry and enjoy your pregnancy wishing you well and hopefully all goes smoothly

Not sore. Quite fluttery right begin with, almost like butterflies. As they grow it becomes a bit more uncomfortable and you can stay to tell which limbs are where but it's honestly lovely and I thought it made me feel much closer to the baby as it's almost like a wee reminder they are there and waiting to meet you. Congrats on the baby!

You will absolutely love it when it happens OP. It doesn't hurt and you will find it comforting!

Kick is really a bad name for it, it’s movement.

I think bubbly gas or flutters are very good descriptions for and and yes, you will find them comforting. It's your baby's way of saying they're ok in there

The kicks hurt me!!!

Its okay not to like feeling the baby kick, no one has to like any part of pregnancy. At the start you can pretend it's indigestion. If your into the hypnobirthing stuff start early and use it to get through the later part (I didnt, but I think that that's how it's supposed to work). Often walking calms the kicking (baby sleeps) and lying down increases it, so bear that in mind.

And despite what some people say how much you enjoy kicking has absolutely no bearing on your ability to bond with and enjoy the baby (obviously).

The kicking is one of the best parts of being pregnant! They almost start to show their personalities so you can start to bond. My DD would always kick one foot. Non stop. When she came out she had talipes on that side from so much kicking! She luckily just needed physio. But now was a almost toddler she's still always busy with her legs and I feel I knew that about her before we even met :(

*:)

The kicks hurt me! But not badly, and because I knew what it was it wasn't scary.

It's worse when they're big and do a full 360

The baby's movements are lovely, honestly and as for labour, not everyone has a very long or painful labour so no point in worrying in advance.

Congratulations and good luck.

The kicks don't hurt. When they start, it is more like little bubbles, but even toward the end it is nothing like you imagine getting kicked to feel. Often it is just gentle movement and it is really reassuring. You will find that you will be more bothered by periods of stillness probably!

Feeling your baby move can be very reassuring and even funny. One of mine would wriggle like he was dancing if I played music!
Any my labour was fine. My first was born two and a half hours after I got to hospital. Crowning hurt but there are plenty of pain relief options!!

Very reassuring to the anxious pregnant lady, great input. Did every single movement through the pregnancy hurt? Or did you get some painful kids when further along? Did you manage to cope with the pain?

You won't necessarily love the kicks. I did but my friend who has had 5, doesn't like pregnancy at all. She says they've all felt like alien parasites. She says she just ignores it and distracts herself. She is a brilliant mother, just not a fan of pregnancy.

I have just started feeling my baby's movements today at 20 weeks and it's honestly magical. I had a few butterflies and gas bubble feelings before today but nothing I could definitely say was baby.

Today it felt like a gentle poke from inside, I jiggled my belly with my hand afterwards and got another poke back! 🥰

It's so reassuring and it honestly doesn't hurt, I'm already trying to guess if it's kicks, punches or baby just moving around. This is the best stage of pregnancy so far for me.

Sorry my whole message didn't post

"But the kicks don't really hurt, it's a bonding experience and you can sort of interact with your baby. It's a weird sensation definitely and can feel a bit alien like but it's lovely - pregnancy does come with pains and aches though unfortunately but kicking isn't one"

You'll probably love it, it's a sign your baby is happy and growing.

Also agree about not dwelling too much on the labour. Nearer the time just read up on the different pain relief methods as all have some pros and cons and then discuss it with your MW.

Please don't let it overwhelm you though. I have a DF who let the worry of giving birth dominate her PG and it totally ruined enjoyment of the PG for her. She gave birth with an Epidural, didn't feel a thing and now regrets being so worried.

If someone is anxious it might be really useful to them to know that they don't need to worry if it personally hurts them and that that can be normal.

We don't know if OP wants reassurance that it will be fine and not scary or if she wants validation that her feelings aren't wrong. Both are acceptable responses.