What does it feel like when the fetus kicks your belly?

As the pregnancy progresses, the fetus grows bigger and the pregnant woman will gradually feel the kicking of the stomach. The fetus kicking the belly is actually fetal movement. In the middle and late stages of the fetal movement, it is very obvious and has different characteristics. It is also a very important detection indicator. When there is no fetal movement, it always makes people feel excited. So, what does it feel like when the fetus kicks your belly? Let’s take a closer look below.

1. The feeling of the first fetal movement

If this is your first pregnancy, you will most likely feel fetal movement for the first time between 18 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. Because the fetus is still small and lacks strength at this time, the feeling of fetal movement is intermittent, as light as the flapping of a butterfly's wings. As the pregnancy progresses, the expectant mother will gradually feel that the baby is becoming stronger and stronger, and the fetal movements are becoming stronger and more regular.

2. The feeling of fetal movement at 20-24 weeks of pregnancy

From this period onwards, the number of movements of the fetus will gradually increase. The second trimester is a period of very active fetal movement. The baby keeps kicking and somersaulting in the mother's belly, and the mother can feel the baby's movement becoming stronger and stronger.

3. The feeling of fetal movement at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy

At this time, the pregnant mother may feel her stomach jumping intermittently, which is the baby hiccuping. Now there is enough amniotic fluid in the pregnant mother's amniotic sac, and the fetus can move freely in the uterus. In addition, the fetus can already hear external sounds at this time, so the pregnant mother may feel the fetus suddenly move due to external sound stimulation from time to time.

Generally speaking, starting from the 28th week of pregnancy, the fetus will develop a more regular rhythm of life and will have cycles of sleep and wakefulness. When the baby is awake, the pregnant mother will find that the fetal movements are frequent and large in amplitude. When the baby is sleeping, the number of fetal movements decreases significantly, and even if there are fetal movements, they are very small. Pregnant mothers should understand the fetal movement pattern of the fetus and count the fetal movements every day starting from the 28th week.

4. The feeling of fetal movement at 29-32 weeks of pregnancy

Now pregnant mothers can feel the fetal movement very clearly, but they will find that the amplitude of the fetal movement has become smaller. This is because as the fetus continues to grow, the space in the pregnant mother's uterus becomes narrower, restricting the movement of the fetus. Around 32 weeks of pregnancy, fetal movement will reach its peak. The frequency of fetal movements has increased significantly, and the patterns of fetal movements have become more diverse.

5. The feeling of fetal movement at 33-36 weeks of pregnancy

At this time, the fetus may have formed a curled-up position with its head down. Pregnant mothers can feel the baby poking their stomachs with its little arms and legs. Sometimes, the little guy may even kick the pregnant mother's ribs and cause pain.

6. The feeling of fetal movement at 36-40 weeks of pregnancy

As the fetus grows bigger, its range of movement in the uterus is limited, so pregnant mothers will find that the baby's big rolling movements are no longer as frequent. During the last two weeks of pregnancy, your baby's movements may slow down a little and your baby's growth rate may slow down a little. This is normal.