Baby shuddering in womb. Has anyone else felt this?

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At night, I sometimes feel little one shudder for a few seconds, maybe up to minute. It is very different to kicks and I don't believe this is hiccoughs. I am 27+5. Has anyone else experienced this? I am getting worried that these are seizures.

Yup, all 5 of mine did this, I worried too but it was absolutely fine. They are having to do a lot of growing and developing in there and I think funny movements are part of that.

I can't say I've experienced this myself (I'm 29+4) but I remember reading about this on a recent thread, can't remember if it was an antenatal or pregnancy one - but the midwife had said this was normal though! I'm sure someone with more experience will be along soon!

Yes I had this with DD. It felt a bit like when a dog scratches itself with its back leg. Never did find out what it was, but the pregnancy was fine and she's completely healthy!

Yeah, lots. I don't worry. Got 2 healthy girls, so happy thus one is moving lots.

All 3 of mine did this. I I used to imagine they had just woken from a strange dream

This happened in my last pregnancy, lots. I was told it was normal by the midwife and obstetrician. Very strange feeling though.

Me too :) I get this quite often... I like to think she's doing a bit of shufflin' in there :)

Yes, it is really bizarre but as others have said, there seems to be no harm in it - and they don't keep doing it once they come out!

I felt it certainly with ds2, can't remember about ds1. I thought there must be something wrong with him. There isn't, though he is a bit weird

That's all I feel tbh! 26 weeks and anterior placenta, so really don't feel 'kicks' as such at all. It's all just a shuddering! Very odd! My midwife also said perfectly normal, so don't worry!

I had this last week and really panicked. I looked it up on google. Apparently its the "moro reflex" which newborns have. Thats where if their head is allowed to fall backwards they will shudder and shake until their head is lifted again.

According to google it is also present in the womb from around 28 weeks or so and is more likely to happen when you lie down on your side.

DD never did it at all but this bump does it a lot. I am going to mention it to the midwife at my appointment on wed, just to be sure!

Thank you all SO much- I really started to worry today but now feel reassured!

Yeah I get this all the time, feels quite rough now at 33 weeks! Interesting to know what it is now tho, thanks wanna.

Yep, ds did this a lot, really felt like little seizures and I was worried but it was nothing and he was/ is fine. You know how sometimes when you have a yawn and stretch and you shudder a bit, that's what it felt like. Too fast to be hiccups!
Mention it to your mw at your next appt so she can reassure you though.

Thank you- I will do! I have an appointment tomorrow so shall see what they say!

Yep,.I.had this! Freaked me out too as never had it in first pregnancy. I was worried baby was having some sort of fit in my womb.

I was told too its the moro reflex that newborns have. Ds is now 12 weeks and perfectly healthy and he did do the startle thing much much more than my dd ever did. He still does it about 4 times a day now!

I had this with DC1, and just experienced it for the first time on Saturday wit this baby at 19+1. I read it was the uterus spasming! Whatever it is, I've certainly not heard anything worrying about it, although it is exceptionally freaky!

It's pretty much all mine does - just happened then! (31 weeks)

yes I had this last time, it felt like the baby was having a fit! I havent had it this time yet.
I spoke to my midwife who hadn't heard of it before so she sent me to speak to a consulatant. The consultant had heard of it happening before and said although they don't really know what causes it, there's never been a reason to believe that it's a problem or a fit. She siad one theory was the baby was practising crying.

Considering they laugh, cry, have various reflexes, practise breathing, hiccup etc in utero, I think shuddery movement is to be expected. Both mine did it.