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Original poster

When should I feel a kick?

20 replies

Bakedbean · 02/08/2004 09:48

I was 17 weeks on Friday and everyone keeps asking me if I have felt the 'flutters' yet and acting surprised when I say no. Having read up in some of the books it's between 16 & 18 weeks or around 20. It varies. When did you feel your baby move for the first time? I'm not yet worrying really, but just being paranoid and would like to feel it moving around!

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mummytosteven · 02/08/2004 09:52

at about 19 weeks - and after that I felt one pretty much everyday - tho had to make some effort to "tune in" - i.e. virtually lie down on a chair, and chill out. the books i read said between 18 weeks and 22 weeks - that it would not be worth looking into unless u had n't felt anything by 22 weeks. my first "kicks" felt like an eyelid opening and closing - so definitely very fluttery!

Hulababy · 02/08/2004 09:53

I started to feel fluttering and movement at about 4.5 months

(I was on holiday in October half term when I started to really realise that was what the butterflies were. DD's due date was 24 March. Half term was last week of October; so working backwards to figure it out!)

mummysurfer · 02/08/2004 09:53

yes, i was going to say about 20 weeks then i wasn't quite sure if it was or not

bbensley · 02/08/2004 09:53

Mine was at 20 weeks in the middle of my friends wedding! You can't miss it, it's a very unusual sensation.

Trust me there will be days when all that moving around drives you nuts

charliecat · 02/08/2004 09:54

My friend never ever ever ever felt a movement, yet i could feel elbows bums and big goal size kicks from about 4 and a half months onwards. I used to lay in a warm bath and put a cold drink on my belly...that would inspire some movement in my babys!

beansprout · 02/08/2004 09:57

Hello, fellow bean! As a first timer it did take me a little while to suss out what I was feeling. It was only as the weeks passed and the same feeling got "stronger" that I realised what it was! Now I am treated to the decathlon on a daily basis....!! Enjoy - for me it one of the best things about being pregnant. When I'm feeling hot and tired (like today) I get a squirmy "oi, mum!" and I feel all squidgy again!

Original poster
Bakedbean · 02/08/2004 10:15

Thanks everyone! This does all make me feel a bit better - I'm just being impatient!

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Jimjams · 02/08/2004 10:22

With ds1 I was 20 weeks- lying down flat and he booted my stomach. DS2 I was about 18 weeks- same thing. This time (no 3) is the first time I have felt flutters- very early from about 13 or 14 weeks - thought I was imagining it. The m/w said she though I probably was feeling them (I guess as I'm quite big and have no stomach muscles left). I've also felt a couple of proper kicks in the last weeks or so- ones you can feel with your hand- (I'm now 18 weeks`) but like I said I have no stomach muscles left- and I have to be lying flat to feel that. Giving a good prod can get them moving.

kbaby · 02/08/2004 10:28

I first felt flutterings at approx 18 weeks I didnt really know what they were though. At 20 weeks I had my first proper kicks and if I laid down and lent a book on my belly you could see the book move.

Bibiboo · 02/08/2004 10:39

Don't worry, I didn't feel my first flutter until about 2 days before my 20 wk scan. And then it felt like a little flick on the inside, not a kick or anything, it took weeks to get stronger. Lying down for 10 mins, after a really cold drink used to set the Boo off, now he/she doesn't need any encouragement!!!

Flossam · 02/08/2004 10:46

I felt the flutteringd from about 16 weeks onwards, but like others have said, only when I really concentrated on it!! I would think about it so hard, I could really feel my own heartbeat, and I think I was giving myself palpatations!!

Started feeling kick like movements, which are much more distinguishable straight after my 20 week scan... she told me he was sitting on my bladder, and he decided to started kicking it to prove it!! I found that after scans I felt much more aware of my baby. Don't panic everyone is different and I think it is supposed to be earlier with your second etc.

gingernut · 02/08/2004 10:51

First baby: around 20 weeks although I had suspected some little flutters were the baby a week or 2 before that.

Weird thing was I could still feel him after he'd been born so I guess some of the feelings really were just lots of wind .

Second time: 12 weeks!!!!!

scubamum2b · 02/08/2004 16:11

I first felt a very light tap just before 16wks, then had to wait another week before feeling it again (confirmed by MW it was baby who put in my notes baby is v active!). Both times I was lying down relaxing and this is my first baby. If I am busy I am less likely to notice the kicks, which maybe your case or you have felt something but put it down to indegestion or something else.

I had my 1st scan earlier today and the placenta is lying on the front of my tummy so that cushions some of the kicks/thumps.

I know what you mean about being impatient - I was telling baby to grow, so a bump showed and I looked pregnant not fat, then to kick so I knew there was something in there - much to the annoyance of DH. I'm much better now (21 & bit wks)

scubamum2b · 02/08/2004 16:13

gingernut - wonder whether it is the mind playing tricks after the birth, just like people say that they can still feel their hand/leg after it has been amputated?

gingernut · 02/08/2004 16:20

scubaumum, I'm not sure ...I always maintain that I left my brain cells somewhere in the hospital when I gave birth so I don't think it can be my mind playing tricks

I do think it was just wind actually. I was on lactulose for a bit and it makes me really windy

Lonelymum · 02/08/2004 16:30

I used to prompt mine to kick by resting a book on my stomach, also by relaxing in a bath. Don't worry, Bakedbean, it will happen very soon, and it is definitely the very best thing about being pregnant. I really felt it was the interaction I had with my babies when they kicked that allowed me to bond with them months before they were born.

Turtle35 · 02/08/2004 16:46

I didn't feel it properly until I was close to 20 weeks, first pregnancy for me, I think when it's your first it takes a little longer. Don't worry, it will happen and now the little one is waking me up quite religiously at 5.00 am every morning kicking a lot!! It is wonderful but very tiring.

Bellie · 02/08/2004 16:49

Felt my first kick at about 18 weeks - friend of mine told me to look out for what felt like trapped wind rather than fluttering - and once she said that I could feel the little monkey!

As most people have said tend to feel the most when lying down and now can feel each squirm and kick.
It is the most wonderful sensation and definately what makes it all feel so real.

You will feel the kicks soon don't worry bakedbean.

bambino1 · 05/08/2004 11:56

I'm due in 5 days! I'm really excited but really scared. Is anyone feeling the same?

bambino1 · 05/08/2004 11:59

sorry put my message in the wrong thread!!

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