One of the most awaited phases during pregnancy is when you could actually feel your baby "interacting" with you through kicks from inside your tummy. It's also somewhat special because sharing those fleeting moments with your partner when your tummy would visibly move and bulge is like having him as an active participant in your pregnancy, too.
And, believe it or not, those tiny movements actually mean different things. Here's a few of them:
Quickening (around the 4th month)
It is similar to the feeling of gas or the fluttering of butterflies in your tummy. You'll begin to feel it around the fourth month, although women who've been pregnant before may detect it earlier because they are more attuned to their bodies. Try lying on your side and you'll probably be able to sense it.
A light tap (around the 5th month)
It will feel like a light "knocking" from inside the uterine walls, and it's possible that you won't even feel it since the baby is protected by several layers of "padding."
Kicks (around the 6th month)
As the baby grows in your womb, he will begin to feel a little cramped. Those kicks you will feel around the second trimester are actually your baby doing some stretches or trying to move his legs to find a comfortable position. It shouldn't hurt, but sometimes it may make you wonder just what is going on in there.
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Punches (6 months onwards)
Your baby wants to move not only his legs but also his arms—thus the "punch"-like movement. At times, it will feel like a jolt. You'll notice that this will be more frequent during the night when the baby is awake, and it might be enough to rouse you from sleep.
Rolling (6 months onwards)
While in the womb, a baby will actually do more rolling than kicking. From outside, it will look like there's a ball inside you and your tummy will gradually make wave-like motion, either sideways or downwards. Experts say this is the baby's buttocks gliding swiftly as he changes positions.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWSquirming (6 months onwards)
It's actually hard to differentiate your baby's movements while inside your womb. As the baby grows, his movement will be minimal, so the kicking will likely evolve into squirming if he has only a bit of wiggle room inside.
Blowing
Have you tried blowing into your drink using a straw? Your baby can do the same thing while swimming in the amniotic fluid. To you, the mom, it will feel like a tickling sensation from inside. How cool is it that by doing so, it will seem like your child is playing with you even before he is born!
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Popping
Your unborn baby can get the hiccups, too! To you, it will feel like something is popping inside, but don't worry, it will go away on its own. This is a good sign that indicates your baby's digestive system is developing correctly.
Vibrating
Your baby is sensitive to stimuli. You will notice that if you change its environment by placing something on your tummy, like a warm cup of milk or a wet cloth, it will start to move. When your tummy vibrates, it's just your baby adjusting to the changes. It won't harm him at all, don't worry.
CONTINUE READING BELOWwatch nowPressure (nearer your due date)
You will feel some kind of heaviness on some parts of your body, and it won't necessarily be painful. By observing where the pressure is, you could get an idea on your baby's position: if there's pressure on your bladder too often, it's possible you may have a breech baby; if your rib area gets kicked a lot, he's probably head down, getting ready to come out.
Should I worry when there is no movement?
It becomes more and more crucial to monitor fetal movements as your due date nears. According to experts, you should feel about 10 movements of any kind in an hour. Ideally, you should set aside time once in the morning and once in the evening to set a benchmark, making sure to do it at the same time every day.
If you don't detect any movement, try having a snack to wake it up, for observation purposes. Any decrease in movement for more than two hours should be brought up with your doctor right away. Note, though, that some activities (the rocking movement during sex) and certain times (during the day) could put your baby to sleep, during which you might not detect any movements. If in doubt, see your doctor immediately.
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