Were you surprised when your friend told you that she felt her baby move three months into her pregnancy? Did you think, "Oh, baby moves so early?"? Many mothers have this question. And some even think that it's too late for them to feel their baby move. So, today we're going to talk in detail about this beautiful experience of feeling the first movements of the baby during pregnancy, which in medical terms we call ' quickening ' .
Baby's due date (EDD)
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The difference between "Normal" and "Average"
Before we start this story, let's understand something very simple. That is the difference between the words "Normal" and "Average." Think about it this way, most people in our country eat rice for breakfast. Then eating rice is the most common thing (Average) . But some people eat bread, others eat noodles. Isn't it "abnormal" for them not to eat rice? That is also normal .
It's the same during pregnancy. Not every mother's experience is the same. It varies from one person to another. Just because something that happens to the majority doesn't mean it's wrong or abnormal doesn't happen to you. It can also be within the normal range.
What is 'Quickening'? When do you first feel your baby move?
Simply put, the first time you feel your baby move inside your womb is called 'quickening'. It's not a big jolt or a kick. It's a very subtle feeling at first. Some mothers describe it this way:
- It feels like a little butterfly flutters inside your stomach.
- It feels like a little bubble is rising inside my stomach.
- Like a subtle twitch .
Because this sensation is so subtle, it can be a little difficult to tell at first whether it's just gas or something else, or if the baby is actually struggling.
Now let's see when these movements are most commonly felt.
| Situation | Average Time to Feel Movement |
|---|---|
| First-time Mother | Around 20 weeks |
| In a second or subsequent pregnancy | Around 16 weeks |
| Mother with a thinner body | (Can be felt slightly earlier than the average time) |
Why do you feel it earlier with your second baby?
You may wonder why you feel these movements earlier with your second baby. The reason is that after experiencing the first, your body and mind are more accustomed to recognizing these subtle sensations. So you can quickly distinguish between wind and baby movement .
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Now let's get to our first question. Can you feel your baby move at 3 months, which is about 12 weeks? The answer is, "It's not common, but it's possible."
Imagine how big your baby is at 12 weeks. He's only about 4 inches long and weighs about 30 grams (a little over an ounce). So it's a little hard to feel the movements of someone this small. However, sometimes, if these things come together, a mother may be able to feel the baby move as early as 12-14 weeks:
1. Date Variation: Sometimes your pregnancy may be a week or two later than you think. There may be a slight difference between the date calculated from your last menstrual period (LMP) and the date of your scan. The best way to know for sure is to talk to your doctor .
2. Having a lean body: If you have a lean body, you may feel the movements of the uterus more quickly because there is less fat layer in the abdomen.
3. Being in your second or subsequent pregnancy: As we talked about earlier, you are more sensitive to detecting these subtle movements because you have had previous experience.
4. The baby is very active: Some babies are a little more active than others. So if you have a playful baby, you may feel his movements earlier.
5. Being a very sensitive mother: Some mothers are very sensitive to changes in their bodies. They can also detect these movements earlier than others.
So, if your friend is thin, if it's her second baby, maybe there's a slight difference in the days, and if the baby in the womb is a little fidgety, it's not surprising that she still feels the baby's movements at about 12 weeks. So if someone says that she feels the baby moving, we have no right to say, "No, that can't be happening." Because the experience is unique to each individual.
Should I be worried if I don't feel any movements?
If you still haven't felt your baby move by 20 weeks, it's normal to be a little concerned. But don't worry. It could be that your placenta is attached to the front wall of your uterus (anterior placenta). In this case, your baby's movements may be absorbed by the placenta, so you may feel a little later. However, if you still haven't felt any movement by 24 weeks , it's important to let your doctor or midwife know. They can then check to make sure everything is going well.
💡 Take-Home Message
- The time it takes to feel your baby's first movements, or 'quickening', varies from person to person. Don't compare yourself to others.
- Most often, these movements begin to be felt at 20 weeks of pregnancy for the first baby, and at 16 weeks for the second or subsequent babies.
- If you are thin, and this is your second or subsequent pregnancy, you are more likely to feel this earlier.
- It's not unusual to feel your baby move as early as 12 weeks, and it's possible.
- If you have any questions or concerns about your pregnancy, your baby's movements, or anything else, be sure to talk to your doctor . Don't be afraid to guess or rely solely on information found on the internet.
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