Is your baby's movement within the normal range? Learn what to look for and when to notify your doctor if something seems out of the ordinary. Foetal movement, from kicks and rolls to hiccups and taps, is a normal part of your baby's development. Monitoring your baby's movements can help you understand their general health in the womb and alert you to any changes that may require medical attention. Counting the number of movements each day. The best way to track your baby's movement is by counting them. A normal number of movements per day can be anywhere from 10 to 25 depending on the individual and the stage of pregnancy. Try timing how long it takes your baby to make 10 kicks, rolls, or any other type of movement. As you approach the later stages of pregnancy, more frequent movements can be expected. If you notice a decrease in activity or any sudden changes, contact your doctor immediately. Feeling distinct kicks and jabs. As your baby grows, you will likely begin to feel distinct jabs and kicks. It will soon become familiar enough that you may even be able to track which body part is causing them. There are numerous online resources, such as kick counters, designed specifically to help pregnant women keep track of their baby’s movements. If you notice any changes or a decrease in activity, make sure to contact your doctor right away. Swelling sensations or 'bubble' feelings in your tummy. Many pregnant women describe feeling their baby move as a bubble or swelling sensation in their tummy. This is due to the extra pressure added by your growing baby, especially in the later months of pregnancy. However, you may also experience more subtle movements, such as rolling and wriggling sensations. Each individual baby’s movement pattern is different, so don’t be alarmed if yours moves significantly more or less than others. It’s perfectly normal! Periods of multi-directional movement to one side, followed by a rest period, then movement to the other side, in a rhythmic pattern. You won’t feel this type of organised, rhythmic movement pattern until later in pregnancy - usually around the 22nd week. Foetal movements tend to follow a pattern of periods of multi-directional movement (kicking, turning somersaults etc) which last between 10 and 40 minutes, followed by a rest period. This pattern is then repeated to the other side. These distinctive ‘baby ballerina’ movements can be very reassuring and comforting to witness! Flutters and rolls feeling similar to bubbles with gas in them. It is very common to feel fluttering and rolling sensations inside your tummy when the baby moves. The movement can often be accompanied by a feeling similar to bubbles with gas in them. But don’t worry; this is just the baby stretching or squirming inside the amniotic sac. It's generally no cause for concern, as movements like these are signs that foetal development is progressing as it should. When should I worry about low kick counts? Try not to be alarmed if your baby hasn’t moved in several hours. It’s normal for babies to have periods of rest, sleep and activity — just like adults. In some cases, you may just need to increase the time to two hours instead of one hour. If after two hours you haven’t felt 10 movements, it might be time to let your healthcare provider know. They can decide if more monitoring is necessary based on your pregnancy and health history. Remember, kick counting shouldn’t make you stressed. Talk to your obstetrician or midwife to see how many kicks you can expect to feel each day and what to watch for. If your pregnancy is healthy and your baby is thriving, monitoring your baby’s movement shouldn’t be something to worry about.