Baby Movements: Shaking, Twitching & Kicks

Such a wonderful part of your pregnancy is the interaction you have with your baby’s movements. It helps you to bond and understand how busy they can be even before they’re born, but every baby will be felt differently.

Safety First: When to Seek Urgent Advice

Most foetal movements you feel — including shaking, vibrating, twitching, spasms and rhythmic movements — are a normal part of your baby’s development and are not a cause for concern. However, a reduced, slowed or changed pattern of movement is different and requires prompt attention. If you notice your baby moving less than usual, or their usual pattern of movement has changed, contact your midwife, obstetrician or maternity hospital immediately. Do not wait until the next day or your next appointment. This information does not replace individual clinical assessment; if you are ever concerned, seek prompt maternity advice.

When will I first feel my baby moving?

The baby’s movements are actually first felt between 18 and 20 weeks of pregnancy but may sometimes be first felt as early as 16 weeks or as late as 22 weeks of pregnancy. Things that can delay the time of first movements include being your first pregnancy, a placenta that sits on the front (anterior) surface of the uterus, obesity and a twin pregnancy.

Even when first noticed, they will not be consistent every day. The movements are subtle and babies frequently can turn to face backwards which will decrease movements felt. Babies also sleep up to forty-minute intervals, so they may disappear for some time before returning.

At times, more unusual movements may be felt. These include repetitive rhythmic hiccups by the baby and a sudden “shaking” caused by the baby’s own startle response. Neither of these are of any specific concern.

Why does my baby’s movement feel like shaking, vibrating or twitching?

These sensations are common and are usually a normal sign that your baby is active and developing well. Common causes include:

• Hiccups: a repetitive, rhythmic twitch or jolt, often felt low in the abdomen, caused by your baby’s diaphragm contracting.
• Startle (Moro) reflex: a sudden single or short burst of “shaking” or jumping, similar to how a newborn startles at a loud noise.
• Muscle twitches and stretches: as your baby grows and space becomes tighter in the third trimester, stretching, jerking or spasm-like movements are more noticeable.
• Active movement periods: rolling, jabbing or rhythmic kicking can feel like vibrating or trembling, particularly when your baby is in a growth spurt or active phase.

These sensations alone are not a reason for concern. What matters is whether they represent your baby’s normal pattern of movement for that stage of pregnancy, not the specific sensation or intensity felt.

What does my baby’s movement mean?

Your baby’s movements are not a very sensitive measure of whether your baby might have a problem prior to 28 weeks of pregnancy due to this wide variation of movement patterns. If you remain concerned after 4-6 hours at this early stage of pregnancy, lying down quietly for up to an hour can improve your chances of noticing movement that’s already happening. If you still feel no movement or remain concerned afterwards, contact your obstetrician or the hospital you are booked at for further advice. Contacting your obstetrician or the hospital you are booked at for advice is reasonable at any point if you remain concerned, rather than waiting for movements to change.

Later in pregnancy (after 32 weeks), movements become more consistent in pattern for each baby. Some may notice sensations that feel like shaking, vibrating, or trembling in the womb, particularly during the third trimester. These movements are common and include hiccups and the startle reflex. It is not the absolute number of movements that is important in ensuring your baby’s well-being, but recognising a normal daily pattern for your baby. Kick charts and formal movement counting are no longer routinely recommended, as there is no set number of movements you should feel. If this pattern suddenly decreases or changes, contact your obstetrician or maternity hospital promptly rather than waiting, paying attention to the movements in the meantime; lying on your side in a quiet setting can help you focus on what you’re feeling. Gently pushing your abdomen about may also elicit a response from the baby. Movements are generally felt the least in the standing position.

Remembering that babies in utero also sleep, and so at times they are still and not always active and moving around, usually for periods of 20 to 40 minutes.

Common movement sensations vs. changed or reduced movements

It’s important to tell the difference between the sensations described above and a genuine change in your baby’s movement pattern.

Common and expected:

• Rhythmic hiccups or twitching that comes and goes
• A sudden single “jump” or shake from the startle reflex
• Stronger, more frequent movement during active periods and quiet periods during foetal sleep

Requires prompt maternity advice:

• Movements that are noticeably fewer, weaker or slower than your baby’s usual pattern
• A sudden change in the character of movements that concerns you
• No felt movement at all when you would normally expect to feel your baby

This information is general and does not diagnose your individual situation — always contact your maternity care provider if you are unsure or concerned. If you are managing a higher-risk pregnancy, review our high-risk pregnancy care page for what additional monitoring may involve.

If late in pregnancy the movements remain subdued, then you need to contact your obstetrician or the hospital you are booked in as soon as possible. Don’t leave it until the next day for further assessment of your baby. Whilst the vast majority of the time your baby will be well, we would much rather assess all babies than potentially miss an opportunity to find a baby at risk.

In later pregnancy, a CTG (heart rate tracing) will be performed, and depending on the overall picture of issues, an ultrasound may be required within the next 24 hours. An ultrasound has the ability to look into further measurable indicators of your baby’s wellbeing. If recurrent episodes of decreased movements occur, please contact your obstetrician.

This article reflects current Australian maternity guidance, including the RANZCOG/PSANZ-endorsed Clinical Practice Guideline for the Care of Women with Decreased Foetal Movements and the Australian Government’s Pregnancy, Birth and Baby service. It is general information only and does not replace individual advice from your obstetrician or midwife. For related reading, see our pregnancy care, pregnancy advice and high-risk pregnancy care pages.