Should Fetal Movement Begin In The Second Trimester?

Technically speaking, fetal movement begins long before the second trimester. Some time right about week nine of your pregnancy, your baby will begin to move, although these slight movement from such a small baby won’t be felt at all. Typically, it is indeed sometime during the second trimester that you will be able to begin to feel fetal movement.

Fetal movement that you can feel will typically start sometime between 16 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. The very first fetal movements that you feel are known as “quickening.” Some moms have described quickening as sort of a bubbly feeling, or the feeling that there is popcorn popping inside their bellies. Other moms have described these beginning fetal movements as butterflies. Still others feel these first fetal movements as a tickle, sometimes even prompting laughter.

Again, not feeling fetal movement is not necessarily the same as there not being any fetal movement. For first-time moms who don’t know exactly what to expect, it can take longer to recognize that those feelings in her belly are actually fetal movement beginning. In addition, a variety of other factors will affect how well you can feel fetal movement begin, including the position of the baby, the weight of the baby, the location of the placenta, your build and your own size. Still, if you haven’t felt your baby move by the end of the second trimester, it could possibly mean that there is some cause for concern.

As the second trimester of pregnancy progresses, you should notice more and more fetal movement beginning. By the end of the second trimester and going into the third trimester, you will be able to tell the difference between specific movements, and you will be able to tell the difference between getting an elbow in the side or getting a kick in the belly. Movement should become more regular and more pronounced as your second trimester goes on.

If you are concerned about your babys fetal movements, you should contact your health care provider. She can typically observe the fetal movements through the use of an ultrasound, and can perform other tests to make sure that your pregnancy is progressing as it is supposed to.