Baby movements in the womb: when you'll feel them, how to count and when to call

You may first feel baby movements in the womb between 16 and 22 weeks, KKH says. If this is your first baby, KKH says it's most often 18 to 20 weeks. From the third trimester, KKH suggests a simple daily count. If your baby moves less than usual, KKH asks you to come in straight away, not wait for your next check-up.

How to keep track of your baby's movements, step by step

1. Expect the first flutters between 16 and 22 weeks. KKH says most first-time mums notice them at 18 to 20 weeks.
2. Tell your gynae if you've felt nothing by 24 weeks. The NHS advises this so your baby's heartbeat and movements can be checked.
3. Get to know your baby's usual pattern. The NHS says there's no set number of movements to feel each day.
4. Start KKH's Count-To-Ten chart in the third trimester: from 9am, tick each movement and add up the day's ticks. Our baby kick counter keeps the tally for you.
5. Look for about 10 movements a day. KKH says to call your doctor immediately if your baby makes fewer than 10 a day on two days in a row.
6. Lie on your side in a quiet room if your baby has been quiet for a while. If you still feel nothing after an hour, KKH says to see a doctor immediately.
7. Go to hospital straight away if movements clearly drop, without waiting for the chart to fill. KKH's markers are a big drop over the last 24 hours, or movements suddenly stopping in the last 12 hours.
8. Leave home dopplers and heartbeat apps alone, because the NHS says hearing a heartbeat at home doesn't mean your baby is well.
9. Ask your partner to read aloud or talk to your bump. Families for Life says this, plus songs and a gentle tummy rub, helps you both bond with your baby.

What baby movements feel like, week by week

The NHS describes early movements as a gentle swirling or fluttering. Later you feel kicks and jerky movements. How strong they feel depends on where your baby lies, how far along you are and where your placenta sits, KKH says. Our 19 weeks pregnant guide covers the first kicks.

Movements don't tail off near your due date. NHS inform says your baby moves more and more up to 32 weeks, then roughly the same until and during labour. It also says babies won't move less towards the end, so a quieter baby late on is a reason to get checked.

Why KKH gives you a number to count

The NHS says you don't need to count kicks, and asks you to learn your baby's pattern instead. KKH gives you a number to work with: about 10 movements a day from the third trimester, logged on its Count-To-Ten chart. Your ticks show what's usual for your baby. A change from usual is what both the NHS and KKH ask you to act on.

The chart's two-day rule isn't the only one. KKH also says to report to hospital for a big drop in movement over 24 hours, or movements that suddenly stop over 12 hours. Its pregnancy guide says to see a doctor immediately if an hour lying on your side brings nothing. If your baby has clearly gone quiet, go in rather than finish the chart. For when to start counting, see our 28 weeks pregnant guide.

When your partner can feel the baby kick

Usually later than you do. The NHS in Wales says other people can't feel movements as early as you can. When a hand on your bump picks them up differs for everyone. HealthHub says your baby's moving limbs may be felt from the surface of your tummy in weeks 29 to 34. Those weeks are a good time for your partner to try.

When the kicks start, put your partner's hand where you feel them and wait. Our guide for partners covers the rest of what they can do.

Can your baby hear you in the womb?

Yes. KKH says your baby may be able to hear by week 18. By week 25, your baby may move in response to your voice. Families for Life notes that hearing is one of the first senses to develop.

Once your baby can hear, music can help calm you both, says KKH's Dr Hong Sze Ching. She adds that no conclusive study shows classical music helps a baby's development or intelligence, so play what you enjoy. Talking and singing to your bump works for either parent. Our 25 weeks pregnant guide has more on that week.

When to see a doctor

Each of these is a reason to get checked. None of them is a diagnosis.

• Your baby is moving less than usual, which KKH lists as a reason to come in.
• A big drop in movement over 24 hours, or no movement over 12 hours. KKH says to report to hospital.
• Still no movement after an hour lying on your side in a quiet room, when KKH says to see a doctor immediately.
• Fewer than 10 movements a day on two days in a row on KKH's Count-To-Ten chart.
• Any change in your baby's usual pattern of movements, which the NHS says shouldn't wait until the next day.
• No movement felt at all by 24 weeks: tell your gynae, as the NHS advises.

At KKH, go to the Delivery Suite on Level 2 of the Women's Tower if you're 22 weeks or more. Under 22 weeks, go to the Urgent O&G Centre in Basement 1. At SGH, go to Labour Ward 52A at Block 5 Level 2 from 20 weeks. It's open 24 hours, and SGH lists reduced or no movements as a reason to come. Under 20 weeks at SGH, it's the Emergency Department. Booked elsewhere? Call your own hospital's delivery suite.

SGH says the check may include an ultrasound scan and CTG, a monitor that tracks your baby's heartbeat. For heavy bleeding, loss of consciousness or another life-threatening emergency, call 995, MOH says. Our premature labour signs guide has every hospital's route in one table.

Frequently asked questions

What are normal baby movements in the womb?

Anything from swirls and flutters early on to kicks and jerky movements later, the NHS says. KKH's guide is about 10 movements a day from the third trimester. What matters most is your own baby's usual pattern.

When can my partner feel the baby kick?

Later than you do, and the timing differs for everyone, the NHS in Wales says. HealthHub says your baby's limbs may be felt from the surface of your tummy in weeks 29 to 34. Put your partner's hand where you feel the kicks.

When does baby hearing in the womb start?

KKH says your baby may be able to hear by week 18 and may respond to your voice with movement by week 25. Talking, singing and reading aloud to your bump help both parents bond, Families for Life says.

How do I count baby kicks?

Use KKH's Count-To-Ten chart from the third trimester. Starting at 9am, tick each movement, then add up the day's ticks. Call your doctor immediately if the total is under 10 on two days in a row. The baby kick counter does the adding for you.

What should I do about reduced baby movements?

Lie on your side in a quiet room and pay attention for an hour, KKH says. If you still feel nothing, or movements have dropped a lot over 24 hours, go to your delivery hospital straight away. The NHS says not to wait until the next day.

Do babies move less near the due date?

No. NHS inform says your baby should keep moving roughly the same from 32 weeks until labour, and during labour too. A quieter baby late in pregnancy is a reason to get checked.