You've entered the easy and enjoyable second trimester of pregnancy, but you've noticed a funny sensation. Recently, you seem to be experiencing an influx of funny, almost ticklish gas bubbles.
No, you aren't getting too much fiber in your diet. What you're experiencing is quickening, another word for early fetal movement. The most exciting part of your second trimester of pregnancy is feeling your baby move and kick for the very first time.
Some moms-to-be associate this sensation with anxiety. Is the baby kicking enough, or too much? We've created this guide to help you relax and enjoy the silly, fluttering sensation of your baby wiggling in the womb.
Read on to learn all about when to expect those early wiggles and what they mean about your baby's dynamic development.
When Should I Expect Fetal Movement?
At its tiniest, your sweet baby is the size of a single poppy seed. Imagine trying to feel something that small moving around in the human body! Your baby has some growing to do before it's big enough to make its presence known.
Most women begin to feel their baby's movement when they're about the size of a bell pepper (or at about eighteen weeks gestational age). Even then, those tiny flutters are easily mistaken for gas bubbles or minor muscle spasms. Many women don't realize what they're feeling until it becomes more consistent.
Women experiencing their second pregnancy tend to notice quickening earlier than first-time moms. They are familiar with the sensation and know what to expect.
Why Haven't I Felt My Baby Yet?
Nearly all women feel some movement by the fifth month of pregnancy, but there are valid reasons why you might not. Your baby is still tiny, and your placenta might get in the way. If yours is in the anterior position (or front-facing), it may soften your baby's tiny movements.
It's also common for women to learn that their doctor has miscalculated their due date, meaning their baby is smaller and less developed than they initially thought. Mistakes frequently happen when a woman is actively trying to get pregnant. It can be challenging to pinpoint the date of conception, throwing off the timeline.
With that said, neither of these situations are problematic. If you are very worried, speak to your doctor about scheduling an ultrasound specifically to investigate your concerns. An ultrasound is harmless, and more information can help you find peace of mind.
Identifying Baby Wiggles
Your womb is the perfect environment for a growing baby. It's full of cozy amniotic fluid to protect your little one from impacts, like a nutritious airbag that shields the fetus as it develops. If it's difficult to feel your baby moving around, that's by design.
With that said, you'll begin to notice movement when you know what to expect. Here are a few ways mothers-to-be have described their baby's movement during the second trimester:
- Like nervous butterflies in the stomach
- Like tiny waves in the water
- Like sudden, unexpected hunger pangs
- Like a slight muscle spasm
- Like a bubble popping
- Like you're feeling the drop on a roller coaster
- Like a twitching sensation
Every baby and body is different, so you may have a different experience. The nature of your baby's movement will change as they grow and develop. It won't always be this soft and subtle, so enjoy it while you can.
Encouraging Your Baby to Kick
Feeling your baby kick is exciting, and we understand you're eager to experience it as often as possible. Even a tiny movement is enough to assure you everything is okay in your baby's world.
Here are a few tricks you can try to encourage your little one to move around.
- Eat a snack to raise your blood sugar
- Boost adrenaline
- Give your bump a poke
- Shine a flashlight on your bump
- Lay down
- Play loud music
- Try some gentle exercise
- Talk out loud
Believe it or not, your baby is already beginning to develop a personality. Different things will inspire movement in different babies. Try a few options from this list and see what makes your little one wiggly, but prepare for their "interests" to change as they grow and develop.
Why Is My Baby Moving?
Your baby is getting ready to exist outside the womb. That means they have to stretch and move their brand-new joints and muscles. Motion in the womb doesn't necessarily indicate your baby's temperament on the outside, but it's fun to notice parallels.
You might not experience a lot of movement during the second trimester, as your baby is still small and their body is still developing. Some women can go several days in between sensations. This is normal.
By your third trimester, you can expect some amount of motion nearly every day. At a certain point, your baby won't have a lot of wiggle room, so you'll feel every flip, jostle, and jolt. In other words, enjoy the peace while you can!
When You Feel Your Baby Kick
The first time you feel your baby move and kick can be strange. For many moms-to-be, it's the first time they acknowledge that a tiny person with agency is growing under their hearts. We know you will fall in love with this exciting second trimester milestone.
Once your sweet baby arrives, you'll have plenty of other milestones on your mind. The Pixsee smart baby monitor can help you capture every moment in stunning, crystal-clear HD.
Visit our Amazon online store and Pixsee Shop to learn how new moms use the award-winning Pixsee app to share every beautiful moment right from their smartphones.
