Baby's movements at 20 weeks help

[squashie34]

Hi there,

First time mummy to be after some advice regarding movements. I will be 21 weeks tomorrow, and a few days ago I finally felt what I knew to be three little kicks when I was lying down in bed (my OH felt one of them with his hand too!). I was so relieved as everyone had been asking me for ages if I'd felt anything yet. However, since then I haven't felt anything else? Is this normal? I know that you are meant to count movements from around 24 weeks but in my mind I can't help but think If baby was strong enough to kick once now I should feel them regularly and I haven't had them since. Could have had some 'flutters' since but seeing as my gas is so bad 🙄 I think it could just be this. Should add I had my 20 week scan and she was wriggling like crazy but I couldn't feel it.

Any advice would be so appreciated as starting to get a little anxious

Hey,

It's completely normal not to feel much at this stage. I felt the first flutters at 18 weeks but they were very inconsistent (days apart) and faint. They started getting stronger at 21 weeks and have continued to get stronger everyday since (I'm 27+4 now).

Baby kicks don't tend to develop a pattern until 27/28 weeks (according to my midwife). Don't get obsessed about trying to count kicks at 24 weeks as there is no standard amount that's 'normal'. It's about getting to know what's normal for you.

Long story short, what you describe sounds standard for your gestation.

@camouflage thank you so much for replying, that's made me feel a little bit more reassured! I just thought once I felt a few kicks I should be feeling them regularly because they're finally here!

Hi @squashie34 I’m 21 weeks and although I feel movements every day, there isn’t a real pattern yet. I felt my first movements at 18 weeks, but like PP I could then go days before feeling it again. I’d say I’ve been feeling them daily for the past 7-10 days. In fact he’s kicking right now 🥰

@nelbert19 the thing is I haven't felt anything today or yesterday I don't think, definitely no 'kicks' and I think any fluttering has been gas. Should I be worried then? 😕

@squashie34 honestly, don't worry. Some people don't even start feeling flutters until they are 22 weeks. I called triage at 24 weeks as I hadn't felt my little guy for 2 days and they told me it's not uncommon and they wouldn't be concerned as it's still so early and baby's still so small and moves around a lot. They could have turned and be kicking inwards so you wouldn't feel them.

Don't worry too much (hah! Hard, I know). Movements start sporadically and how much you feel depends on which way the baby is facing and where your placenta is.

You'll get more flutters or kicks when you're not expecting it. Enjoy them, it's such a lovely feeling!

Sorry @squashie34 I was trying to make the point that it’s too early for a pattern, but realise my post made it sound like you should feel movement every day!

It’s normal to have really erratic movement (or even no movement at all) up to 24 weeks and a true pattern isn’t expected until 28 weeks.

Do you know the position of your placenta? It’s much more difficult to feel movement with an anterior placenta.

Also your ‘wind’ flutters may well be baby movements - it’s more difficult to recognise as a first timer!