Fetal development

8 Tricks for Getting Your Baby to Move in Utero

A healthy baby usually kicks at least 10 times per hour . If you don’t feel at least five kicks within the first hour, try drinking something cold and eat a snack.

Counting your baby’s movements The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that you time how long it takes you to feel 10 kicks, flutters, swishes, or rolls. Ideally, you want to feel at least 10 movements within 2 hours . You will likely feel 10 movements in less time than that.

If you haven’t felt any movement from your baby by 24 weeks , see your doctor or midwife. If you think your baby’s movements have decreased in strength or number, contact your midwife or doctor immediately.

For example, your baby may kick, hiccup, roll, turn, or twist . These movements are common and expected. As your baby grows, these movements will get stronger. But sometimes you might feel a movement that surprises you.

Fetal movements in utero are an expression of fetal well-being. However, a sudden increase of fetal movements is a sign of acute fetal distress, such as in cases of cord complications or abruptio placentae .

Normal fetal movements can be defined as 10 or more fetal movements in 2 hours , felt by a woman when she is lying on her side and focusing on the movement,2–4,6 which may be perceived as ‘any discrete kick, flutter, swish or roll’.