Baby movements / 20 week scan

[Ellie126]

I’m 20 weeks FTM and I’m still not certain if I’ve actually felt the baby move yet. Sometimes I feel these butterfly’s but I’m not sure ifs a placebo because so many people say that’s what it feels like. It also feels like gas bubbles, again could be a placebo. But I haven’t felt anything that’s distinctively ‘that’s our baby kicking’ :( I have physically felt my tummy pulse externally which I swear I didn’t ever experience before being pregnant. I really want to feel bonded to the baby, and I feel bad to say I don’t because I haven’t had these real life feelings yet. It’s hard to explain! Sometimes I talk to my tummy and I feel insane.

I had my midwife appointment about 3 weeks ago and she listened to the heartbeat. We could hear all sorts of bangs and she said it sounded like an active baby. Even on our 12 week scan baby looked to be moving around loads so I’m frustrated I can’t feel it yet.

I have my 20 week scan tomorrow which I’m also very nervous (and excited for) I just hope the baby is healthy. We weren’t TTC so I hasn’t taken folic acid in the first 4 weeks from conception (but immediately did when I missed my period) so I’m worried about neural tube defect.

also will we immediately see the sex of our baby on the screen or will the sonographer ask if we want to know first? We do want to know but I also want her to say ‘ ah looks like a a big or ah looks like a girl’ rather than us speculate from the screen! But I guess if it’s obvious - it’s obvious!

Those bubbles you're feeling are the baby moving. You won't feel a huge kick just yet. The sonographer will ask if you want to know, they won't just tell you

Those butterflies and air bubbles is your baby moving 😊

I agree with previous posters - it does feel a bit like bubbles at the beginning! But also, some people feel less than others - I never felt movements that strongly, and even the week before birth, I’d probably only feel one or two kicks an hour. But my baby was born healthy. What’s more important is knowing your normal. I also didn’t feel my baby move until pretty late - definitely after the 20 week scan. I think I was around 25 or 26 weeks the first time I was certain I felt a kick.

for the scan, it does depend! Our baby (a girl) was in a full on starfish position when the scan started so you didn’t need to be a doctor to identify her sex. But I can imagine if your baby has their back to you or is more curled up, the doctor would have to tell you.

I didn’t feel movement properly until 22ish weeks and I actually saw her move from outside before I properly felt it. It can be a very weird thing but the sonographer said the same thing to me - oh isn’t she moving loads, and I was like ‘IS she?!!’ …and I think was much later than you!

I’m pretty sure the sonographer will ask if you want to know and then tell you when they work it out. Very very unlikely you’ll be able to tell by yourself.

best of luck! I know it’s so much to worry about but if I could give any advice just try to relax and enjoy it as much as possible. Let us know how the scan goes!

Hi I'm new to this and just found out Im pregnant and the doctor also confirmed it. I am nervous and excited ☺️ I had a miscarriage in February and had to have a D N C has anyone been through this as well and could talk to me please thanks

Thank you so much :) Yes turns out our baby was moving a lot during the scan even though I’m yet to feel this. Everything appeared to be healthy and we find out we’re having a baby BOY🩵🩵

I’m so sorry to hear :( it’s such a nerve wracking time being pregnant I can’t imagine what it’s like if you’ve had a heartbreaking experience.

I’m still on the journey, but as others have said it’s completely normal not to feel huge movement until 22-24 weeks as a first time mother! The 20 week scan is so sweet and it really does provide reassurance although whilst I was looking at the screen I was so worried she was going to say there was a spinal defect because I hadn’t taken folic acid prior to finding out I was pregnant.

but it’s extremely rare so please don’t worry! As someone else said, we should try and enjoy the experience as much as possible and try and not get stressed…. But it’s easier said than done! Wishing you and your little one all the best! X

Congratulations! I didn’t feel the baby move till around 22/23 weeks but I had an anterior placenta!

If you have an anterior placenta then you might not feel much until later on. I do, and the definite big movements came at 24 weeks. Before then if felt like gas bubbles on my knicker line. If you haven't felt this all before baby, then it'll be them making themselves known 😊