It's rare for someone to hope another person will kick them in the stomach, but new moms have unique priorities! Have you recently felt your little one kick for the first time? This milestone is exciting, but it can also help you create a map that can provide helpful information about what to expect during labor.
If you're expecting, we're sure you're eager to learn how to tell your baby's position by kicks. We've created this guide to teach you everything you need to know about the pitter-patter of little feet. You'll understand how to identify kicks and how feeling baby movements at different stages of pregnancy can teach you about what's to come.
If you've been feeling baby kicks, read on to become an expert at interpreting them.
Was That a Kick?
When your baby moves for the first time, you might not recognize what has happened. Doctors call these early movements "quickening." It will feel like a small, subtle, and soft movement, almost like a miniature muscle spasm or pulsing sensation.
You can expect to feel these early movements around 20 weeks. If you've been pregnant in the past, you might be more attuned and may notice them a few weeks earlier. In contrast, first-time moms have firmer, less sensitive muscles.
The location of your placenta might impact how early you feel your baby's earliest wiggles. If your placenta is anterior (between your uterus and your tummy), it can be harder to sense your tiny baby's itty bitty movements.
Also, don't forget that every baby is an individual, and some little ones are more relaxed than others. You may feel an active baby sooner than an inactive one. These differences don't indicate a problem but can give you a clue regarding your little one's personality.
Quickening or Kicking?
Your baby's movement will transition into "kicks" as you approach and enter the third trimester of pregnancy. By this time, you'll be familiar with feeling movements in the womb. Kicks are unmistakable because they're stronger, though they will not hurt.
By now, you should feel about ten different baby kicks over two hours.
Gymnastics in Utero
Babies generally spend their time in the womb in one of three presentations. Each of those presentations involves a variety of positions. Thus, new moms must pay attention if they want to determine their baby's precise location.
First, you'll want to determine if your baby is cephalic, transverse, or breech. A baby with a cephalic presentation will be head down, while a baby with a breech presentation will be feet down. A baby with a transverse presentation will lay vertically.
Your baby's face may face toward your spine or away from it. In breech, your baby's legs may be in various positions.
Ideally, your baby will have a cephalic presentation and face your spine.
How to Tell Your Baby's Position By Kicks
Your healthcare professional is an expert at determining a baby's position by touch. If it's difficult to tell, they may choose to perform an ultrasound to confirm. You can use this information to map your baby's position in the womb.
Belly Mapping
You can use your baby's kicks to help you create a belly map. A belly map is a visual representation of your baby's position in the womb. You can use it to track the location of your baby's limbs, spine, and head during pregnancy.
Pay attention to where you're feeling kicks. By the third trimester, you should be able to differentiate between a kick and an elbow jab. If your belly feels firm, it might indicate that your baby's spine is pressing against your stomach.
Information from your doctor and observations can help you create a belly map. You can create your map on paper or directly on your belly. Always use non-toxic or all-natural paints or markers if you draw on your skin.
Start by drawing the location of your baby's spine and head. Then, use their movement to place their limbs in space. You don't need to be an artist—a stick figure provides as much information as a detailed rendering.
Your finished image will show you an approximation of your baby's position in the womb.
Do I Need to Know My Baby's Position?
While you don't need to know your baby's position, it can be helpful information. If a baby is in a breech or transverse position close to birth, some doctors might advise trying to "spin" your baby. If your baby remains in a challenging presentation, you may require medical intervention during labor.
Knowing your baby's position can also help you anticipate certain sensations during vaginal labor. For example, a baby facing you during birth might cause "back labor," which can be uncomfortable.
Your doctor or midwife will tell you if your baby's position requires intervention. Don't forget that labor is a natural process. Babies move and flip as their birthday approaches.
Many babies shift into the correct position when it's time to make their appearance.
Never Miss a Moment With Your Baby
When your baby arrives, tracking their every milestone becomes even more exciting. With the Pixsee smart baby monitor, you can keep a careful eye on your baby, whether they are ready for their first smile or first steps.
Visit our Pixsee Shop and Amazon online store to learn how Pixsee can help you document your baby's growth journey in style.
