Once pregnancy is confirmed, most expectant mothers eagerly await one of the happiest milestones: feeling the baby’s first movements. Many women hear various beliefs from older generations about whether the timing or shape of the baby's movements can reveal the baby’s gender—beliefs that are often far from accurate.
In a special interview with Dr. Nahed Al-Wazzan, Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynecology, she explained the truth behind fetal movement: when it starts, what affects it, and whether it is linked to the baby’s gender.
When Does Fetal Movement Begin?
You will typically feel your baby’s first movements—known as quickening—between 16 and 25 weeks of pregnancy.
-
In first pregnancies, movement may not be felt until closer to 25 weeks.
-
In second pregnancies, mothers often feel these movements earlier, around 13 weeks.
You are more likely to notice fetal movement when you are calm, relaxed, sitting, or lying down quietly.
Some women believe they feel movement as early as the first month of pregnancy. This is incorrect. Sensations during the first month are usually caused by gas or changes in the digestive system, which naturally occur early in pregnancy—not by fetal movement.
Does the Timing of Fetal Movement Reveal the Baby’s Gender?
There is a widespread belief—especially among older generations—that a baby boy moves earlier and more strongly than a baby girl. Before ultrasound became common, many relied on these assumptions to predict gender.
-
the baby’s health,
-
maternal nutrition,
-
genetics (which affect fetal size),
-
and the baby’s activity pattern.
Similarly, myths about belly shape—such as a “high belly” meaning a boy or a “low belly” meaning a girl—have no scientific basis.
Factors That Increase Fetal Movement
You should monitor your baby’s movements daily to ensure their well-being. If movement becomes noticeably weak or stops, consult your doctor immediately so they can check the fetal heartbeat and perform an ultrasound.
Fetal movement may increase when:
-
You eat chocolate: The rise in blood sugar gives the baby a boost of energy.
-
You take a spoonful of honey (in the second half of pregnancy): It can noticeably increase activity.
-
You drink natural juice: Useful if you haven't felt movement for a while.
From the fourth month onward, movement becomes regular:
-
It begins as light flutters,
-
Then becomes gentle taps,
-
Then stronger kicks and rolls as the baby grows.
Babies also sleep inside the womb, so a quiet period does not always indicate a problem—unless it lasts too long.
Be sure to maintain adequate nutrition, vitamins, and minerals. Low fetal movement may be related to deficiencies in the mother—especially iron, vitamins, and essential nutrients important for brain and organ development.
Stimulating Fetal Movement
You can also encourage your baby to move through sound. Babies respond to:
-
Soft music
-
Your voice while reading or reciting
-
Bird sounds or gentle animal noises
-
The voices of older siblings, which babies often appear to enjoy even before birth
Excessive silence and darkness can sometimes make the baby sleep longer. Soft noise or gentle activity around you can help stimulate movement.
Post a Comment