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Written by: Favour Francis | Reviewed by: Dr Ortega Ogomigo
Introduction
For many expectant mothers, feeling their baby move is one of the most beautiful parts of pregnancy. There’s a certain joy that comes with those little kicks, especially when you’re lying down to rest, after eating, laughing, or simply going about your day, and suddenly feeling your baby respond from inside your tummy.
Those movements are a reassuring reminder that your baby is active and growing with you through every stage of the journey. So, it’s completely understandable that when they suddenly feel less frequent or different from what you’re used to, it can raise concern and leave you wondering if everything is okay.
The good thing is that changes in baby movement are not always a sign that something is wrong. However, it’s still important to understand your baby’s movement patterns during pregnancy and know when you may need to speak with a doctor.
In this article, you’ll learn about:
- when you can expect to start feeling your baby move
- what baby movements feel like as pregnancy progresses
- what can affect your baby’s movement during pregnancy
- when reduced movement may become a concern
- when to see a doctor
When Do I Start to Feel My Baby Kick?
One of the most exciting moments in pregnancy is that first tiny movement. For many women, it happens somewhere between 16 and 25 weeks.
If it’s your first pregnancy, it might take a little longer before you notice it, and that’s completely normal. Your body is still learning what to pay attention to, so it can be easy to miss those early movements.
At the beginning, you may not feel the strong kicks mothers often talk about. Instead, it’s usually something much like a light flutter or even gas bubbles moving around.
In fact, many doctors in Nigeria say mums describe it as “something just brushed inside your tummy”, leaving you to wonder whether it’s your baby or just your imagination.
That’s exactly how it starts. You might second-guess at first, but as the days go by, those movements become more consistent. Before long, you’ll begin to recognise the pattern and realise it for what it is: your baby quietly saying hello.
What Do Baby Movements Feel Like as Pregnancy Progresses?
As your pregnancy moves forward, those small flutters you felt at the beginning (first trimester) don’t stay the same. They grow with your baby, and over time, you begin to notice them more clearly.
In the second trimester, while the movements are still quite gentle, they become more regular. You’ll start to feel soft taps and flutters that come and go. Some days it will be obvious, other days you may hardly notice anything, and that’s still normal at this stage.
By the time you enter the third trimester, it becomes a whole different experience. Your baby is bigger and more active, so you may feel solid kicks, stretches, rolls, and sometimes even what feels like a full turn inside your tummy.
Around this time, you’ll also start to notice patterns. Your baby might be more active at night when you finally lie down, or just after you’ve eaten. Some mums even say it feels like their baby suddenly wakes up the moment they’re ready to sleep.
With time, you’ll begin to recognise your baby’s pattern. Every baby is different, and little by little, you’ll get used to what is normal for yours.
What Can Affect My Baby’s Movement During Pregnancy?
By this point, you might have started noticing that your baby doesn’t move the same way all the time. Some days, they kick strongly and frequently; other days, it might be calm, leaving you wondering if everything is okay.
Well, there are a few reasons why this happens.
- Your Baby’s Sleep Cycle
Your baby sleeps and wakes inside the womb, just like a newborn would. Sometimes, they can sleep for 20 to 40 minutes at a time. During those periods, you may not feel much movement, and that’s completely normal.
- Your Daily Activity
When you’re busy walking or working, you may not notice movements as much. But when you finally lie down, especially at night, the movements suddenly feel more obvious. It’s not always that your baby just started moving; you’re simply more aware of it.
- What You Eat
After eating, many mums notice their baby becomes more active. It’s one of those small patterns you begin to recognise over time.
- Placenta Position
If your placenta is at the front of your womb (an anterior placenta), it can act like a cushion. This can make your baby’s movements feel softer or harder to notice, particularly earlier in pregnancy.
- Baby’s Growth and Space
As your baby gets bigger, there’s less space to move around. So instead of sharp kicks like you felt in the earlier stage of your pregnancy, you may start to feel more of their rolling and stretching. You see that the movement hasn’t reduced, it has just changed.
- Paying Attention to Patterns (Kick Counting)
If you ever feel unsure, it helps to pay attention to your baby’s movements over a period of time. This is often called kick counting, and it can help you understand your baby’s usual pattern and notice when something changes.
When Should I Be Concerned About My Baby’s Movement?
As you get used to your baby’s movement pattern, you’ll likely begin to notice what feels normal for them. That’s why many doctors encourage mums not to focus only on how many kicks they feel, but also on whether there’s a noticeable change in their baby’s usual activity.
You should pay attention if:
- your baby is suddenly moving much less than usual
- you stop feeling movements you would normally feel every day
- the movements become noticeably weaker
- something simply feels different or “off” to you
Sometimes, there may be a harmless reason for reduced movement, like your baby sleeping or you being busy and distracted. But it’s always better to take changes seriously rather than assume everything is fine.
If you notice reduced movement, the first thing to do is try to focus on your baby’s movements in a calm environment.
What You Can Do First
- Lie down on your side, preferably your left side
- Eat a light meal or drink something cold
- Stay in a quiet place without distractions
- Pay attention to movements for the next 1–2 hours
Often, mums notice movement again once they’re calm and focused.
When to Contact a Doctor or Go to the Hospital
If you still don’t feel movement after paying close attention, or your notice your baby is moving far less than usual, contact your doctor, midwife, or visit a hospital immediately.
In Nigeria, many women worry about “overreacting” or bothering healthcare workers, but when it comes to your baby’s movement, it is always safer to check.
Most times, everything may turn out fine, but it’s important to let a healthcare professional assess you and the baby properly.
Your instincts as a mum matter too. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it.
From the Desk of Koyo Doctors
Pregnancy comes with many questions, and it’s okay to seek clarity whenever you’re worried about something. Paying attention to your body and speaking up when you notice changes is an important part of caring for yourself and your baby.
And remember, you do not have to go through your pregnancy journey alone. You can always speak with a doctor in Nigeria for guidance and proper medical support.
References
Koyo Health articles contain trusted health information that is properly researched and reviewed by qualified doctors to help Nigerians make informed decisions about their health and overall well-being.
Sources:
Geng, C. (2025, November 5). Fetal movement: What is normal and when to worry. Www.medicalnewstoday.com. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/when-to-worry-about-fetal-movement#increased-movement
NHS. (2020, December 2). Your baby’s Movements. Nhs.uk. https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/your-babys-movements/
University Hospital, M. K. (2025). Fetal Movements in Pregnancy – Milton Keynes University Hospital. Milton Keynes University Hospital. https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/patient-information-leaflet/fetal-movements-in-pregnancy
