Twenty-five-year-old Anjali, a sales executive from Kochi, spent most of her day rushing between showrooms and customers. At 31 weeks pregnant, she barely found time to sit down. One evening, as she relaxed after work, she realised something felt different. The usual kicks and rolls she had come to expect were less noticeable. She wondered if she was overthinking or simply too tired. Fortunately, she called her doctor instead of waiting until the next day. After an assessment, her baby was found to be healthy. More importantly, Anjali learnt a valuable lesson: never ignore a change in your baby's movements.
For many expectant mothers, feeling their baby move is one of the most exciting parts of pregnancy. Those little flutters, kicks and stretches are more than memorable moments. They are often reassuring signs that your baby is doing well.
Your baby's first hello
Most women begin to notice their baby's movements between 18 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. If it is your first pregnancy, you may not feel movements until a little later, sometimes after 20 weeks. Women who have been pregnant before often recognise movements earlier, occasionally from 16 weeks onwards.
At first, these movements may feel like butterflies in the stomach, gentle swishes or tiny bubbles. As your baby grows, movements become stronger and more obvious. Kicks, rolls, stretches and turns all become part of your daily experience.
Every baby develops its own activity pattern. Some are particularly active in the evening, while others seem to wake up whenever their mother lies down to rest.
Understanding what is normal
One of the most common questions doctors hear is: "How many movements should I feel?"
The answer often surprises people. There is no magic number.
Rather than counting a specific number of kicks, it is more important to become familiar with your baby's normal pattern of movement. Every baby is different, just as every child is different after birth.
Movements generally increase until about 32 weeks of pregnancy and then remain fairly consistent until delivery. The type of movement may change because your baby has less room to move around, but healthy babies continue moving right up to labour.
Contrary to a popular myth, babies do not move less simply because there is less space near the end of pregnancy.
Why paying attention matters
Your baby's movements are one of the simplest ways to monitor their wellbeing.
A noticeable reduction or change in movement can sometimes be an early warning sign that a baby is under stress. In some cases, it may indicate problems with the placenta, which supplies oxygen and nutrients to the baby.
Most women who seek medical attention for reduced movements will go on to have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. However, identifying concerns early gives health care professionals an opportunity to investigate and intervene if necessary. Think of your baby's movements as a daily conversation. When that conversation suddenly becomes quieter, it deserves attention.
Why you may not always notice every kick
There are several reasons why movements may sometimes seem less obvious. If you are busy, physically active or focused on work, you may simply be less aware of what is happening inside your womb. Many mothers report noticing movements more clearly when they sit quietly or go to bed.
The position of the placenta can also affect what you feel. When the placenta lies on the front wall of the uterus, it can act like a cushion, making movements harder to detect. Babies also have sleep cycles. These periods are usually short, often lasting between 20 and 40 minutes and rarely longer than 90 minutes. During these times, movements may temporarily decrease.
Factors that can reduce movements
Some substances can affect a baby's activity level.
Strong pain-relieving medications and sedatives may reduce movements. Smoking and alcohol can also influence how active a baby is while at the same time posing other serious risks to pregnancy.
Occasionally, reduced movements can signal that a baby is unwell. While this is uncommon, it is precisely why every episode of noticeably decreased movement should be taken seriously.
Should you count kicks?
Many mothers use mobile apps or charts to count movements. While these tools can help some women pay more attention to their baby's activity, experts do not routinely recommend formal kick-count charts for everyone. What matters most is not a number on a chart but your awareness of your own baby's usual movement pattern. You know your baby better than any app.
What should you do if movements reduce?
The most important advice is simple: do not ignore it. Never assume that your baby will move more tomorrow. Never wait overnight if you are concerned.
If you notice that your baby is moving less than usual or that the pattern has changed significantly, contact your doctor, maternity unit or healthcare provider immediately.
Do not rely on home devices that claim to monitor your baby's heartbeat. Hearing a heartbeat at home can create false reassurance and may delay appropriate medical assessment.
After 28 weeks of pregnancy, any significant reduction in movements should be assessed without delay. Your health care team will usually check your baby's heart rate and perform other evaluations depending on your stage of pregnancy and overall risk factors. Most assessments are reassuring, but seeking help promptly is always the safest approach.
Trust your instincts
Pregnancy is filled with advice from relatives, friends and social media. Yet one of the most reliable guides is often a mother's own intuition.
If something feels different, trust that feeling and get professional advice. Health care providers would much rather assess a healthy baby than miss an opportunity to help one who needs attention. When it comes to your baby's movements, there is no such thing as a silly question or an unnecessary visit.
Most women first feel their baby move between 18 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. Every baby develops a unique pattern of movement. There is no fixed number of movements that is considered normal.
Babies should continue moving throughout pregnancy, including near the due date. Reduced or changed movements can sometimes signal that a baby may need medical assessment. Being busy, placenta position and normal baby sleep cycles can affect how much movement you notice.
If your baby's movements are reduced or noticeably different, seek medical advice immediately. Your baby's kicks, rolls and stretches are more than precious moments. They are little messages from the womb. Learning to recognise those messages and responding when they change may make all the difference.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.
