--- title: "Your baby’s movements" description: "Getting to know your baby’s pattern of movements, why a change needs a call straight away, and how UK and US advice on counting differs." url: "https://myruva.co/learn/baby-movements" language: "en-GB" topic: "Pregnancy" published: "2026-10-18" updated: "2026-10-19" author: "Ruva team" reading_minutes: 4 --- # Your baby’s movements Getting to know your baby’s pattern of movements, why a change needs a call straight away, and how UK and US advice on counting differs. *Written and reviewed by the Ruva team · Updated 2026-10-19 · Pregnancy* ## Key points - Call straight away if your baby’s movements slow down, stop or change from their usual pattern. - NHS guidance says there’s no set number of movements a day, and you don’t need to count kicks. - Keep expecting movements right up to and during labour. - A home doppler can’t reliably check your baby’s health. Call your midwife or maternity unit now if your baby is moving less than usual, has stopped moving or has changed their usual pattern. In the US, call your obstetric clinician. Elsewhere, contact your doctor or midwife. Don’t wait until tomorrow, even if it’s the middle of the night. The NHS advises getting to know your baby’s usual pattern of movements from day to day. Its guidance doesn’t set a number of movements to reach, and doesn’t ask you to count them as a routine. Compare the movements with what you usually feel from your own baby. ## What the first movements can feel like The NHS says you’ll first feel movements between 16 to 24 weeks of pregnancy. If this is your first baby, you might not feel them until after 20 weeks. They can feel like gentle swirling or fluttering. Later you may notice kicks and more jerky movements. Contact your midwife or pregnancy clinician if you haven’t felt any movements by 24 weeks. They can check the heartbeat and movements. This advice is for if you’ve never felt movement. If movements you’ve been feeling slow down, stop or change, call straight away. ## A pattern without a daily target Knowing the pattern doesn’t mean keeping a perfect record. UK guidance says you don’t need to keep a daily count of kicks. RCOG’s patient information also says there isn’t enough evidence to recommend routine movement charts. You can describe what has changed in everyday words, such as “The movements feel less frequent than usual.” You may notice fewer movements when you’re active or busy. If the placenta is at the front of the womb, movements can also be harder to feel. RCOG describes these things, but still advises getting help straight away if movements slow down or change. Call even if you’ve heard these explanations before. Keep expecting movements right up to and during labour. The kind of movement can change as your due date gets closer, but fewer movements still need checking. Being near the end of pregnancy isn’t a reason to wait. ## Why a home heartbeat check is not enough Don’t use a home doppler (a kit for listening to the heartbeat) to check whether your baby is well. The NHS says it isn’t a reliable way to check your baby’s health. Hearing a heartbeat doesn’t mean everything is fine, and it doesn’t replace a call about changed movements. Fewer movements can be a sign of a problem. Your maternity team needs to check the change without waiting for a set count. The NHS asks people to call straight away if there are fewer movements, no movements or a changed pattern. ## How US advice on counting differs ACOG describes counting movements as something your health professional may ask you to do at home. It says there are different ways to count, and your clinician will explain how often to count and when to contact them. Agree a counting plan with your own clinician. There’s no single target you can take from an article. CDC’s guidance on urgent warning signs includes a baby moving less than before, or stopping. It advises getting medical care straight away for these signs. If you’ve been given a counting plan, ask your clinician to explain when to call urgently, as well as how to count. ## When you call, and if it happens again The team will ask about the movements. They may check your baby’s heartbeat and arrange more checks. The care you’re offered depends on how far along you are. RCOG describes checks that can include an antenatal assessment, monitoring the baby’s heart rate and an ultrasound scan if needed. If movements slow down again after you’ve already been checked, call your maternity unit or pregnancy clinician again straight away. RCOG advises contacting the team every time this happens. When you call, explain what feels different and mention your earlier check. You don’t need to wait for your next appointment. ## When to get help - **Same day:** Call your midwife or maternity unit now (UK), your obstetric clinician (US), or your doctor or midwife elsewhere if movements have slowed down, stopped or changed. Don’t wait until tomorrow, even at night. - **Book an appointment:** Contact your midwife (UK), obstetric clinician (US), or doctor or midwife elsewhere if you haven’t felt any movements by 24 weeks. They can arrange checks. ## Where you live Services and advice differ between countries. - **UK:** NHS guidance advises getting to know your baby’s usual pattern, without routinely counting kicks. - **US:** ACOG describes counting movements when your clinician asks you to. Follow your clinician’s instructions. CDC advises getting care straight away if movements slow down or stop. - **Elsewhere:** Elsewhere, ask your doctor or midwife about local advice on movements and how to get urgent help. Don’t delay getting help for a change. ## Sources 1. [Your baby's movements](https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/your-babys-movements/), NHS 2. [Your baby's movements in pregnancy](https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/your-babys-movements-in-pregnancy/), RCOG 3. [Special Tests for Monitoring Fetal Well-Being](https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/special-tests-for-monitoring-fetal-well-being), ACOG 4. [Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms](https://www.cdc.gov/hearher/maternal-warning-signs/index.html), CDC --- This guide is general information to help you keep and use your own records. It isn’t medical advice. If you’re worried about a symptom, or something changes suddenly, talk to a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.