Quickening In Pregnancy: First Movements & What To Expect (2024)

What is quickening in pregnancy?

Quickening is when you feel your baby's first movements during pregnancy. It may feel strange to feel your baby move in your uterus (womb) at first. You may not know if it's your baby moving, gas or something else. Once you start to feel these tiny "quickening" movements, it can be reassuring that your unborn baby (fetus) is healthy and growing. Feeling your baby move can deepen the bond and connection you feel during your pregnancy.

What does quickening in pregnancy feel like?

Quickening feels different for everyone. Some of the terms people use to describe quickening are:

• Fluttering like a butterfly.
• Tapping or tiny pulses.
• Bubbles popping.
• Tiny muscle spasms.
• Light rolls or tumbles.
• Flickering.

It may be confusing at first to pinpoint what you're feeling. Your baby is small, and their movements are subtle and soft. Over time you will become more familiar with your baby's movement patterns, and the movements will get stronger.

When in pregnancy do you feel quickening?

Your unborn baby will begin moving around 12 weeks of pregnancy, but you probably won't feel it yet. If you've been pregnant before, you may sense quickening by about 16 weeks in pregnancy. However, if this is your first baby, it's common not to feel movement until 20 weeks.

Some factors that impact when you feel quickening are:

• If you've had a baby before. Your uterine muscles may be more relaxed from prior pregnancies and more sensitive to movement. Also, you know what to expect as compared to a first-time parent.
• The location of your placenta. An anterior placenta (the placenta is between your uterus and belly) may make it harder to feel the first movements.
• If your baby is generally inactive or active.

Where do you feel quickening in your belly?

Quickening is typically felt low in your belly, near your pubic bone. Early fetal movements are subtle, and your baby is still tiny. At around 12 weeks in pregnancy, your uterus is low in your abdomen or at your pubic bone. When you're 20 weeks pregnant, the top of your uterus (fundus) is at your belly button. This means you won't feel movement much higher than your belly button until after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

How often should you feel quickening?

It varies. You should generally feel some movement by 20 to 24 weeks in pregnancy. Talk to your midwife or obstetrician to get an idea of what you can expect for those early fetal movements. It may help to see your baby on an ultrasound or listen to their heart on a fetal heart monitor (monitors will pick up your baby's swooshing movements, too).

By the third trimester (28 weeks), you should feel at least 10 movements in two hours.

If you feel your baby move less than this or are still waiting for your baby's first strong kicks, try not to panic. Chances are your baby is perfectly healthy, and its movements are not strong enough to feel yet. Talk to your healthcare provider if you're concerned. They can reassure you that your baby is OK or perform additional tests.

When will quickening turn to real kicks?

Your baby's movements become stronger and sharper as you enter your third trimester. You may feel kicks, jacks, punches, elbows and somersaults in your uterus. Later, you may even feel tiny hiccups.

You'll get familiar with your baby's kicks and notice patterns of movements. Counting these kicks can help you figure out what's normal for your baby. Knowing what's normal for your baby helps you sense when something feels off. If you notice any sudden changes in movement (slowing down or stopping for several days), talk to your midwife or obstetrician. It's usually not a cause for worry, but it may be reassuring to check with your provider.