Was that a kick, or just something you ate? If you are in your second trimester, you may be starting to notice tiny flutters and wondering whether you really felt your baby move.
You may also be comparing your experience with friends, apps or pregnancy milestones and wondering if your baby should be moving more by now.
Here is when you might feel your baby move, what those first kicks can feel like, how movement changes through the second trimester, and when a change in movement means you should contact your doctor.
When do you feel your baby move?
Your baby starts moving well before you can feel it. Fetal movement begins around 12 weeks of pregnancy, but those early movements are usually too subtle for you to notice. Most pregnant women start feeling movement between 16 and 24 weeks. If this is your first pregnancy, you may not feel definite movement until after 20 weeks [1].
If you have been pregnant before, you may recognise movement earlier because you already know what those sensations can feel like. An anterior placenta, where the placenta sits at the front of your uterus, can also cushion your baby’s movements and make them harder to notice at first.
If you have not felt any movement by 24 weeks, let your maternity care provider know so they can check your baby’s wellbeing [2].
What do first kicks feel like?
Your baby’s first movements may not feel like kicks at all. They can be surprisingly easy to mistake for gas, muscle twitches or digestion.
You might notice:
• A gentle flutter, almost like a butterfly moving inside your belly
• Tiny taps or pulses
• A bubbling or popping sensation
• A light swishing or rolling feeling
• Small movements low down in your abdomen
These early movements, known as quickening, are usually subtle because your baby is still relatively small. As your pregnancy progresses, movements tend to become easier to recognise and stronger.
💡 Supermom tip: Instead of trying to identify every sensation, simply pay attention to whether you are starting to recognise your baby’s movements. You do not need to record every flutter in an app during these early weeks.
How does baby movement change during the second trimester?
Movement usually becomes more noticeable as your second trimester progresses.
Around 16 to 20 weeks, movements may still be soft and inconsistent. You might feel a few flutters one day and not much movement the next. By the later part of the second trimester, you may start recognising clearer kicks, rolls and stretches.
Your own activity can also affect how much you notice. When you are busy, walking around or focused on work, you may simply pay less attention to subtle movements. You may notice them more easily when you are sitting quietly or lying down.
Is my baby moving enough in the second trimester?
There is no fixed number of kicks you should feel during the second trimester. Babies have different movement patterns, and your baby’s movements are still developing during these weeks.
That means comparing your baby with another pregnancy can create unnecessary worry. Your friend’s baby might be especially active at night, while you notice your baby’s movements more often after you sit down for a meal.
You can make things easier by paying attention to your baby’s usual pattern rather than constantly checking for movement.
For example, you might notice:
• Your baby tends to move more when you are resting
• You often feel movement after eating
• Movement is easier to notice in the evening
• Your baby seems more active at certain times of day
These observations can help you recognise what is normal for your pregnancy.
However, once you have started feeling your baby move, a clear change from your baby’s usual pattern should not be ignored. If you feel that your baby is moving less than usual or you are concerned about a change, contact your doctor or maternity care provider for advice [2][4].
Do you need to start counting kicks now?
Generally, no. Formal kick counting is usually more relevant from around 28 weeks, once your baby’s movements have become more established. Your doctor may recommend a specific method based on your pregnancy [3].
One commonly used method is to measure how long it takes to feel 10 movements. Another approach is to count movements within a specific period. However, there is no single method that applies to every pregnancy, so follow the instructions given by your doctor rather than starting a routine on your own [3].
When should you call your doctor about baby movement?
Knowing when to seek help can be more useful than knowing an exact number of kicks.
Contact your doctor, midwife or maternity unit promptly if:
• Your baby is moving less than usual
• Your baby’s movements feel weaker than usual
• You can no longer feel your baby moving after you have previously felt movement
• You notice a clear change in your baby’s usual movement pattern
A reduction or change in fetal movement can sometimes be a sign that your baby needs to be assessed, so do not wait until your next scheduled appointment if you are concerned.
If your instincts tell you that something feels different, do not hesitate to contact your healthcare provider.
References
- Cleveland Clinic. Quickening in Pregnancy: First Movements and What to Expect. Accessed 21 August 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/22829-quickening-in-pregnancy.
- Cleveland Clinic. Kick Counts (Fetal Movement Counting): Purpose and How To. Accessed 21 August 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23497-kick-counts.
- NHS. Your baby’s movements. Accessed 21 August 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/your-babys-movements/.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Special Tests for Monitoring Fetal Well-Being. Accessed 21 August 2026. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/special-tests-for-monitoring-fetal-well-being.
