A question for 9 out of 10 first-time pregnant women is to know at how many months the baby starts to move in the mother’s belly. But it’s not quite like that, did you know? The baby begins to move even before we know he exists! Fertilized in the fallopian tube, he is slowly carried through the alveoli contained in the tube and delicately falls into the uterus. Once implanted, the embryo begins to form. The movement of the cells is imperceptible to the new mother. Around 6 weeks of pregnancy, the baby’s heart begins to beat, along with it, the movement of the small amount of blood that is already present in the baby’s body. In an ultrasound at this stage, it is possible to see the heartbeat, accompanied by very gentle movements from the baby. So, we can say that the baby moves very early, right from the first month of pregnancy1.
The question about how many months until the baby moves usually comes up during a first pregnancy, because there’s a big difference between the baby moving and the mother actually feeling it. As mentioned above, babies start moving very early. In a 10 weeks ultrasound, for example, it’s possible to see the baby move, especially if the mother has consumed something with caffeine before the procedure. Remember that excessive caffeine intake is not recommended during pregnancy. However, because the baby is still so small, the movements are imperceptible. At 10 weeks, the baby is just 2cm long, which is almost insignificant compared to the 6 layers of tissue it must pass through before reaching the mother’s most sensitive area: the skin.
How Does the Mother Feel the Baby?
There are “sensors” in the skin that are able to detect the baby’s movements. And it is only when the baby reaches a considerable size, around the 16th week, that it’s possible to feel the baby moving inside the belly. More vigorous movements can sometimes be felt earlier, but they can often be confused with other bodily movements, such as those of the intestines. It’s also more common for thinner women, who have less abdominal fat, to feel the baby earlier. This is because the sensors have easier access to the baby’s movements2.
What Are the Baby’s First Movements Like?
Identifying the baby’s initial movements can be a real challenge for mothers. Sometimes it seems more like a buildup of gas or indigestion, but believe it, it’s your baby! The heaviness a woman feels on one side could also be your beloved baby making his presence known—a weight in the lower abdomen, on one side or the other, definitely means there’s life there already. And the movements? At first, it may feel like a gentle tap from someone on your arm (internally, of course). They also describe it, quite accurately, as feeling like little butterflies fluttering in the lower abdomen for the first movements felt by the mother. It’s easier to feel the baby moving after the mother’s meals. A mix of vitamins and hormones reaches the placenta, making the baby more “energetic.” As the pregnancy progresses, the baby gets closer to the mother’s sensitive spot, so the movements will become clearer and more noticeable. Normally, they become very clear between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy.
How to Feel the Baby Move Before the 16th Week of Pregnancy?
Feeling the baby before 4 months of pregnancy is uncommon in a first pregnancy, because the baby is very small and the mother has little experience. However, it is possible to feel the baby before the timeframe mentioned if the baby is close to the mother’s sensitive area, that is, near the skin of the belly where the muscle sensors are3. There is a technique to help feel the baby, but to use it the mother must be more than 12 weeks along and not have diabetes or insulin resistance. The technique consists of:
After a good meal, including dessert (something sweet, like chocolate, mousse, etc.), the mother should lie on her back with her head on a low pillow and her feet on the floor. It’s as if she’s sitting with her feet on the floor, but with her head resting on the pillow. It is recommended to inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth for proper diaphragmatic breathing. After this, gently press the belly (below the navel) and feel where there is the most volume. In that spot, it’s possible to feel the baby moving—not on top of the belly, but inside! Stay in this position for at least 10 minutes.
IMPORTANT: Dad will only be able to feel the baby move in the mother’s belly when the movements are strong enough, around 25 weeks of pregnancy, which is when the baby is bigger.
When Can You See the Baby Moving?
Seeing the baby move from the outside is more common closer to the end of pregnancy. We can say that from the sixth to the ninth month of pregnancy. The closer it gets to delivery, the more noticeable the baby becomes. That’s why we see so many videos of babies moving inside their mothers’ bellies. After a few weeks of practice, it’s possible to tell which body part the baby is moving—arms, feet, back, and even hiccups. Enjoy your pregnancy—it’s an unforgettable and very important moment for a woman’s life and for everyone around her.
