How much movement and frequency at 20 weeks?

[darkbuthappyplace]

I've started feeling some subtle movements over the last week or so. This has given me some much needed reassurance, however, i'm now starting to look for the movements and getting worried if i don't feel them. Is it normal to feel them one day and not so much another at this stage? xx

[JustJane1234]

Hey, I believe it's totally normal not to feel movement every day at 20 weeks. I was really stressed out a couple of weeks ago because people kept asking me if I'd felt the babies move and, although I'd felt lots of tweaks and twinges, I couldn't say for sure that I'd felt movement. I knew it often starts around 18 weeks so was worried, even though I'd seen them wriggling around at 20 wk scan. Then, at 21+5, I suddenly felt what I knew was a kick. Since then, the movement has increased a little day by day. Now at 22+5 and I feel them move several times a day (when I'm hungry or have just eaten so I guess my stomach is making funny noises!) So I think every pregnancy is different. My midwife has said that from about 24 weeks I should be feeling movement every day so there's plenty of time for your little one to make their presence known before then xx

[darkbuthappyplace in reply to JustJane1234]

Thanks so much for the reply. I think that is what has thrown me too - lots of people asking if i can feel it which has made me paranoid. I know it's early so going to hang in there, i think i just panicked when i felt quite a few things a few days ago then nothing as much since but as you say maybe no pattern just yet and also my placenta is on the front so there's that to consider. I think i just needed to know i'm not the only one! xx

[StarsAllAround]

Baby movements don't fall into a pattern until between 24 and 28 weeks anything before this can be really sporadic so try not to panic. Also where your placenta is positioned will effect what you feel if it is at the front (anterior) it can make it harder for you to feel kicks until baby is bigger and then they will be softer, if you placenta is at the back (posterior) then you are likely to feel kicks much sooner and stronger as your pregnancy continues. Also with a first pregnancy early movements can be mistaken for trapped wind 😅. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy x

[darkbuthappyplace in reply to StarsAllAround]

Thanks so much for the reply. It does feel like trapped wind and I'm finding it hard to distinguish between the two! 😅 xxx

[MJE1]

Hey.

I’ve just turned 21 weeks and also have an anterior placenta. I can feel twinges but can not identify them as movement. I have be told the placenta will cushion the movement. It also doesn’t feel like butterflies or bubbles like the internet says, more twinges. She was kicking a lot on the 20week scan and the sonographer was laughing as she was kicking him away when trying to measure her- didn’t feel a thing! It can take up to 22-24 weeks to feel, I was told, lf it’s your first pregnancy too, as you don’t know what you’re looking for and muscles have not been affected by previous pregnancy x

[Bexarama83]

I totally get you, it’s so worrying when you don’t feel them regularly. I’m 23 weeks tomorrow, with an anterior placenta. She’s not regular as such, but I’m defo feeling every day at least 2-3 times. Everyone is different though and any movement is great reassurance. Hope it gets more regular soon for you xx

[darkbuthappyplace in reply to Bexarama83]

Thanks for your reply, even just nice to know i'm not alone and someone understands the anxiety, especially when family and friends are so excited but i can't help but worry. xxx