Your growing baby

Pregnancy will affect every part of who you are and those around you as your ever-changing body adapts.

• First trimester: 0-14 weeks
• Second trimester: 15-27 weeks
• Third trimester: 28-40 weeks

Around 18-20 weeks, you may start to notice your baby’s kicks or fetal movement. One of the best ways to be reassured that your baby is healthy is to count the baby’s movements. In your third trimester, your health care professional may ask you to start monitoring how often you feel baby movement (kicks, rolls, flutters).

• You may count at any time of the day.
• You may lay down on your side or be in a semi-sitting position.
• Record the time that you start counting.
• Babies usually move in “episodes” or groups of movements. Count each one separately as one movement episode; that is, two or more movements that occur together or without a pause of greater than half a minute.
• Record the time when you feel six movement episodes; when you feel six movements you may stop counting.
• If two hours pass with less than six movements, contact your health care provider.

• The baby may move six times in less than half an hour.
• The baby may take up to two hours to move six times.
• You may notice less kicking when you are active than when you are resting.
• The important thing is to know what is normal for your baby, so you can tell your doctor when something different is happening.

Call your health care provider if you do not feel six movements in two hours or it is taking longer and longer to get to the six movements.