When a child is born, their parents spend a lot of time deciphering their “language.” Made up of eyebrow raises, sparkling eyes, and high-pitched babbling, this mode of communication challenges anyone trying to understand it. Yet, even nestled in the womb, your baby moves a lot and communicates with you. Let’s take a closer look at the meaning behind these in utero movements.
Why does my baby move so much inside my belly?
During pregnancy, your baby’s in utero life consists of splashing around in their private pool: the amniotic sac, filled with the eponymous fluid.
A secure chamber where your baby is protected from infections; but also a nourishing space, as they receive, through the placenta and the umbilical cord, the maternal nutrients essential for their immune system and growth.
Baby’s First Movements In Utero
It’s no secret that a baby’s sleep sack – also called a wearable blanket – lets them move and stretch freely.
Your baby, of course, doesn’t wait to be born to enjoy this exercise, as they start showing the beginnings of movement as early as the 13th week. Just having moved from the embryonic stage to the fetal stage, they already have arms and legs to stretch and wiggle.
So, is it logical to feel them move a lot already in your belly? Actually, no – you need to be patient. This little being, about ten centimeters long (the size of an apple), has too much space in the amniotic sac to allow you to feel their movements yet.
When can I start feeling my baby move inside my belly?
First-time mums (primigravidas) usually take longer to notice fetal movements. They typically need to wait about four and a half months, while for mums who have been pregnant before, the timing is usually closer to three months into pregnancy.
This is partly because experienced mums are better at interpreting these sensations, having gone through it before. Later on, even your baby’s hiccups might cause a series of small jolts… or a bigger jolt if they startle.
The first movements you feel are very subtle and require close attention. They can be compared to the fluttering of butterfly wings or tiny air bubbles.
During the first three months of pregnancy, no movement will be felt by the Mum, you need to wait until your little one is a bit stronger to feel them.
Here it is, my baby is moving a lot inside my belly!
From the 6th month, your baby’s movements become more frequent and easier to feel. This is the stage when your baby fully explores their little home and regularly changes position: head down, arms bent, arms stretched out, bottom to the side, back forward… they explore every corner.
What do baby’s movements inside the belly mean?
This is the stage of pregnancy when your baby can move a lot inside your belly. This can mean several things:
- your baby is looking for a more comfortable position;
- they respond to an external stimulus (your voice, music…);
- they react to sweet foods you’ve eaten (which give a sweet taste to the amniotic fluid).
Your baby moves every day. Counting movements won’t really tell you if your little kickboxer is active enough.
Your baby’s activity varies throughout the day and sometimes from day to day. All this is a sign of fetal wellbeing.
Over the weeks, you’ll notice little movement habits developing. If you feel your baby isn’t moving as usual, talk to your care provider to get reassurance.
Why does baby move more in the evening?
It often happens that your baby reminds you of their presence in the evening, when you’re hungry or when you’re resting quietly.
If you feel like your baby starts dancing a Madison as soon as you lie down, it doesn’t mean they’re trying to give you dark circles under your eyes just yet. During the day, when you’re moving around, your baby feels rocked and is probably sleeping.
So remember, the activity peaks often happen during quiet moments – naps, nighttime, or even sitting breaks – as well as around the 32nd week, when baby tends to be especially active.
Baby’s Position During the Final Stretch
Finally, in the last weeks of a typical pregnancy, it’s common for movement intensity to vary.
It can feel like the baby is resting, but this is because your unborn child fills all the available space and is therefore too cramped to move as freely as before.
At this stage, the way your baby moves as birth approaches might lead to induction. The medical team will assess this based on ultrasound results.
During the ninth month, your baby will eventually settle into the diving position to prepare for delivery. Some babies may adopt the breech position, also known as the Buddha position.
Why Don’t I Feel My Baby Moving Much?
Sometimes, the baby is simply quiet, and you might feel fewer movements, especially if you’re overweight or if the placenta is located on the front wall of the uterus.
These factors tend to soften the baby’s movements, creating the sensation of gentler activity.
If you need reassurance, it’s always a good idea to consult your healthcare provider.
Meanwhile, try this simple tip: eat something sweet and lie down, preferably on your side.
This trick often encourages your baby to move within an hour. Pregnant women who love dessert after dinner, take note!
How to Connect with Your Baby in the Womb
As your pregnancy progresses, you’ll become familiar with your baby’s movement patterns, and your baby will also get used to your presence.
In tune with each other, you and your baby share this regular dance. You might feel like gently tapping your belly to encourage your baby to move.
If your baby is asleep but not in deep sleep, this can wake them up. Enjoy this moment—once your baby is born, it’s best not to wake them when they’re dozing!
Massages, Music, and a Cool Drink
To encourage your baby to respond, you can try gentle massages on your belly, or ask your partner to do them, focusing on the lightness of the touch.
Having a cool drink can also be helpful, or playing some music.
A study by the Marquès Institute in Barcelona, based on the mouth movements of 300 fetuses, found that the number one in utero music style is classical (84%), followed by traditional music (79%) and pop-rock (59%).
There’s no need to press a speaker against your pregnant belly. Simply playing music in the room at a reasonable volume is enough.
Prenatal Singing, Haptonomy, and Bola
The easiest option is still to hum, so your baby gets used to your singing voice. When it comes to prenatal singing, dads have an advantage, as the fetus better detects lower-pitched sounds.
Additionally, you can combine this with haptonomy, a prenatal practice rooted in psychotherapy, described as “the science of affectivity,” which mainly involves touch.
Its goal is to create a bond between parents and their baby before birth, and it can be done at home or during specific sessions.
Finally, the trendy pregnancy bola is a necklace with a small bell at the end. This Indonesian-origin jewelry’s length ensures the bell chimes close to the mother’s belly.
This way, your baby recognizes a familiar sound that will soothe them once they’re born.
These are all ways to communicate with your unborn child before they’ve even arrived.
How to Calm a Baby Who Moves a Lot in the Belly
When your baby is very active in your belly, it can help to try different little tricks to soothe them and regain some comfort.
Changing position, for example lying on your left side, can provide your baby with better oxygen supply and encourage calm.
You can also walk gently or do some slow movements: the natural rocking motion of your body often has a calming effect on your baby.
Gently massage your belly with soft, circular motions to send a comforting sensation through your skin, which can help soothe restlessness.
Every future parent finds their own rituals, but the key is to listen to your body and create a shared moment of relaxation with your little baby moving inside your belly to acknowledge their presence!
