16+3 - Felt strong movement at 15+5 but nothing since

[OliveEV1512]

Hi everyone. First pregnancy here. I’m just looking for a little reassurance. I’m 16+3 and felt what I’m sure was my first movement at 15+5. I sneezed and felt a very strong bubbling / pulsing feeling below my belly button for around 5 seconds. I was really excited by this as I’ve had an anxious pregnancy so found this really comforting. However, I’ve been increasingly anxious since, as other than a few potential flutters (could easily not have been), I’ve felt nothing since. I know this is early days to be feeling frequent movements (was told at 12wk scan poss have posterior placenta), but I’m concerned about the lack of anything since. I’m seeing the midwife tomorrow for 16wk appt so will seek reassurance then. Any reassurance in the meantime would be much appreciated :) thank you!

It may have been first movements or it may have been something else. Normally first movements are felt between 16 and 24 weeks so you're at the very early part of that.

It's also very normal this early on for movements to be hit and miss and not something you need to worry about, you won't necessarily feel them every day to begin with but gradually you should find the movements becoming stronger and more frequent.

The first few weeks when I felt movements, it wasn't uncommon to go days without feeling anything at all - they really are absolutely teeny at this point.

It'll be another 2 or 3 months before you'll really see any regular pattern which you can keep track of.

Thank you, appreciate your response :) trying not to worry but hard as I’ve been incredibly anxious throughout this pregnancy so far and just want baby to be okay. Thanks again x

Try to relax about it. It isn't usual to feel movements every day from so early on. Back when I had my children - getting on for 30 years ago now - we used to be given a movement chart to fill in each day starting at 28 weeks. I think the fact that health care providers weren't that bothered before 28 weeks might have been some indication that feeling movements can still be erratic up until then.

Hope you get some reassurance tomorrow. Hearing the heartbeat is such a special thing.

Thank you, really appreciate your response. Hoping tomorrow brings me some comfort / reassurance x