Baby moving less than usual? When to seek help during pregnancy

English version

You may first feel your baby move between 16 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. Early movements can feel like fluttering; later they may feel like kicks, rolls or stretches. If you have not felt any movement by 24 weeks, tell your maternity-care provider.

How much movement is normal?

There is no single number of movements that is normal for every baby. What matters is becoming familiar with your baby’s usual pattern. Movements may feel different as pregnancy progresses, but you should continue to feel your baby move right up to and during labour.

What if movements seem reduced or different?

Contact your maternity unit or obstetrician immediately if your baby is moving less than usual, you cannot feel movement, or the usual pattern has changed. Do not wait for your next appointment or until morning—even if it is late at night.

Do not rely on a home Doppler, phone app or hearing a heartbeat to decide that the baby is well. Do not delay seeking advice while trying to make the baby move by eating or drinking something.

What may happen during assessment?

The maternity team will ask about the change and how far along you are. Depending on the stage of pregnancy, they may check your health and the baby’s heartbeat, monitor the baby’s heart rate, or arrange an ultrasound if indicated. Not every person needs every test. Most people assessed after one episode of reduced movements go on to have a healthy pregnancy, but assessment is the way to determine the next step.

If movements become reduced again after an earlier reassuring assessment, contact the maternity team again. You are not wasting their time.