Your baby’s movements in pregnancy: what’s normal and when to call

Getting to know your baby’s movements is one of the ways you can keep an eye on how they are. Here’s what the NHS and Tommy’s say is normal, and when to call.

If your baby’s movements slow down, stop or change

Call your midwife or maternity unit straight away, day or night, if:

your baby is moving less than usual
you can’t feel your baby moving any more
there’s a change to your baby’s usual pattern of movements

The NHS says not to wait until the next day. Call immediately, even if it’s the middle of the night. They will need to check your baby’s movements and heartbeat.

Tommy’s, the pregnancy charity, says to call if your baby’s movements feel weaker, or if you feel something is wrong, even if you can’t say why. Don’t wait for your next appointment. There are staff on maternity units 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and if you’re away from home you can go to any maternity unit.

Don’t use a home Doppler (a heartbeat listening kit) to check your baby’s heartbeat yourself. The NHS says they aren’t reliable, and hearing a heartbeat doesn’t mean your baby is well. Tommy’s says the same about hand-held monitors and phone apps. Tommy’s also says you should not try to make your baby move. Call instead.

Why movements matter

The NHS says that if your baby is not well, they may be less active than usual. Less movement can be a sign of a problem. The sooner this is found, the sooner you and your baby can get the right treatment and care, and this could save your baby’s life.

When will I feel my baby move?

The NHS says you should start to feel your baby move between 16 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. If this is your first baby, you might not feel movements until after 20 weeks. Early movements can feel like a gentle swirling or fluttering. Later on, you may feel kicks and jerky movements.

If you haven’t felt your baby move by 24 weeks, tell your midwife. They will check your baby’s heartbeat and movements. For more on the early weeks, see feeling your baby move for the first time.

There’s no set number of kicks

The NHS says there’s no set number of movements you should feel each day, because every baby is different. Tommy’s says you don’t need to count kicks. Instead, get to know your baby’s usual pattern from day to day, so you notice if it changes.

Tommy’s says some change can be normal. For example, your baby might change the time of day or night when they’re most active. But they should still move about as often, and as strongly, as is usual for you at this stage of pregnancy.

Movements don’t slow down towards the end

Tommy’s says it is not true that babies move less towards the end of pregnancy. Your baby should move more and more until about 32 weeks. After that, movements stay roughly the same. The NHS says you should feel your baby move right up to and during labour.

If your baby’s movements seem to slow down late in pregnancy, don’t assume this is normal. Call your midwife or maternity unit straight away.

What happens when you call

Tommy’s explains what usually happens when you’re checked:

Before 24 weeks, a midwife will check your baby’s heartbeat and refer you on if needed.
From 24 to 26 weeks, staff will listen to your baby’s heartbeat, ask about the movements, measure your bump, check your blood pressure and test your pee.
After 26 weeks, they will also use a CTG machine to monitor your baby’s heart rate and movements.

You may then have more CTG monitoring or an ultrasound scan. Tommy’s says you should not be sent home until your baby’s movements feel reassuring to you and the tests show that you and your baby are well. See monitoring your baby’s heartbeat.

If it happens again

Tommy’s says to contact your maternity unit straight away if your baby’s movements reduce again, even if everything was OK last time. Never hesitate to call your midwife or maternity unit, however many times this happens.

Questions people ask

How many kicks should I feel each day?

There isn’t a set number. The NHS says every baby is different. Get to know your baby’s usual pattern, and call your midwife or maternity unit straight away if it changes or slows down.

Do babies move less towards the end of pregnancy?

No. Tommy’s says this is not true. Movements build up until about 32 weeks and then stay roughly the same, and you should feel your baby move right up to and during labour.

My baby is quieter tonight. Can I wait until the morning?

No. The NHS says not to wait until the next day. Call your midwife or maternity unit immediately, even if it’s the middle of the night.

Can I check the heartbeat with a home Doppler or an app?

No. The NHS says not to use a home Doppler, and Tommy’s says the same about hand-held monitors and phone apps. Hearing a heartbeat doesn’t mean your baby is well.

I was checked last week and everything was fine. Should I call again?

Yes. Tommy’s says to contact your maternity unit straight away if movements reduce again, even if everything was OK last time.