Feeling your baby’s kicks during pregnancy is undoubtedly an exciting and special experience for many expecting moms, especially for those who are expecting their baby for the first time. Baby’s kicks are an indication that there is a little angel growing inside you. While it definitely indicates that your little baby is growing well and achieving a new milestone of development inside your womb, it also indicates that your pregnancy journey has reached a new level.
But ever wondered what these kicks really mean or what is it your pregnancy body is trying to convey to you? Pregnancy is full of wonders and here are some interesting facts about baby kicks that will amaze you:
Interesting Facts About Baby Kicks During Pregnancy:
Whether it is the first baby or second, every pregnant woman looks forward to feeling flutters and kicks from her baby. Those first movements likely wouldn’t be described as a “kick”, but it’s called “quickening.”
1. Kicks are not just ‘kicks’
Not all the movements that are felt are actually kicks from the baby. We all know that as the baby grows, it starts to move around in the womb because babies are busy spending plenty of time moving their hands, exploring the uterus, hiccupping, changing sides and even doing somersaults.
When your baby starts to actually kick, stretching out the limbs during the initial weeks of your pregnancy, all you might feel is flutter or just a swishing feeling in your abdomen.
2. Kicks indicate good development and health of a baby
Baby kicks are a sign of good development and health of your little one in the womb. It also indicates that your baby is active. So, there is absolutely no need to worry about it as these movements or kicks are a part of your baby’s normal development.
3. Babies kick in response to the change in environment
Babies tend to kick mostly in response to certain changes in the environment. A baby moves or stretches her limbs in response to some external stimuli, such as noise, light or even certain food or drinks that the mother consumes. Babies also need to stretch and move for relaxation. If the mother is moving about, it can be soothing for the baby and the baby will often relax and even go to sleep.
4. Babies kick more after you have a meal
As an expecting mother, you may note that you feel your baby kicks more often after your meals.
5. Laying on your left side increases the frequency of a baby’s kicks
When the expecting mother lies on her left side, she experiences an increase in the number of her baby’s kicks. Lying on the left side during pregnancy boosts the blood supply to the fetus. As a result, there is an improvement in the baby’s movements, and you experience an increase in kicks and wiggles from the baby.
6. Babies begin to kick after nine weeks in the womb
Babies start kicking soon after they complete nine weeks in the womb. However, the early kicks are only detectable during an ultrasound scan, and they are too early for the expecting mother to realize and identify them. The mothers-to-be usually recognize their baby’s movements as late as the 24th week of pregnancy – Before that, the sensation is unfamiliar, and she might not recognize it for what it is.
Most mothers experience a flutter in their abdomen during the early stages of pregnancy. After the 24th week of pregnancy, they feel the baby’s kicks quite often. Women having their second baby usually recognize the ‘flutters’ of their baby’s movement much earlier than expected – even as early as 13 weeks of their pregnancy.
7. Reduced number of kicks may indicate something is wrong
Typically, a healthy baby growing at an expected pace might kick about 15 to 20 times a day. Reduced fetal movements can be a matter of concern, and it might mean an insufficient supply of oxygen to the fetus.
Sometimes, fetal movements or kicks may decrease due to the drop in sugar levels. If the baby does not move for more than an hour, despite the mother eating something, then it can be a cause for concern, and you should call your doctor immediately.
After 28 weeks of pregnancy, the doctor may advise you to maintain the track of pregnancy kick counts. You may need to record the time it takes for you to count ten kicks of your baby. If you cannot feel any fetal movement, try having a snack or drink a glass of cold water or walk around. The sugar in food or the coldness of the drink will usually wake the baby, and the mom should feel at least ten movements in the next two hours. These movements include rolls, thumps, hiccups, kicks, and pokes.
8. Reduced kicks after 36th week do not mean trouble
At times, babies rest inside the mother’s womb for as long as 40 to 50 minutes. Post the 36th week of pregnancy, your baby will be growing larger, and won’t be rolling over as often. Instead, you may notice a persistent kick beneath your ribs on one or either sides.
Hence, after 36 weeks of your pregnancy, if you notice the reduced movements of your baby, it may indicate less space available in the womb.
When did you start feeling the first baby kicks during pregnancy? Share your special experience here.
Happy Pregnancy!