Feeling those first baby flutters during pregnancy can be exciting. General timelines for when you may start to feel your baby’s first fetal movements are as follows:
- On average: approximately 18-20 weeks
- First-time moms: as late as 25 weeks
- Experienced moms: as early as 13 weeks
In some cases, it may be difficult to tell whether you’re experiencing fluttering or just gas. Over time, however, you may start to notice that there is a pattern to the movements.
As your pregnancy develops, your baby’s movements, also called quickening, will become more pronounced, and they may resemble painless kicks by your third trimester.
What symptoms may accompany flutters in the second trimester of pregnancy?
The second trimester is often called the golden trimester of pregnancy and for a good reason. For many women, the nausea and vomiting of the first trimester has lessened considerably at this stage, and you feel less exhausted.
Other symptoms of second trimester may include the following:
- Growing belly and breasts: You may notice gradual weight gain. The abdomen starts to show, and your breasts grow in size.
- Braxton Hicks contractions: These are mild, slightly painful tightening sensations in the uterus that may occur during the second trimester.
- Skin changes: Stretch marks over the abdomen may develop. Other changes in the skin may include acne and pigmentation.
- Nasal problems: Nasal stuffiness is a pretty common problem during the second trimester, along with nose bleeds.
- Dizziness: Your growing uterus may press on the blood vessels of the lower body, causing blood to pool in your legs when you get up. This may make you feel dizzy at times.
- Vaginal discharge: You may notice a sticky, clear, non-itchy, white vaginal discharge in your underwear.
- Mood swings: Bursts of euphoria may be accompanied by episodes of weeping, sudden sadness, and anxiety.
Most symptoms seen in the second trimester of pregnancy are manageable with good rest and proper nutrition. Make sure you stay active, get good rest, and drink plenty of fluids. Never skip your prenatal visits and vitamins.
If you have intense mood swings, severe abdominal cramps, episodes of vaginal bleeding, or itchy discharge, inform your gynecologist immediately.
SLIDESHOW
Conception: The Amazing Journey from Egg to Embryo See SlideshowHow soon can symptoms of pregnancy start?
Pregnancy symptoms are different for every woman, especially in the early stages. Some women experience symptoms a week or two after conceiving, whereas others don’t feel anything for months. It really depends on a woman’s ability to identify the changes occurring within their body and how sensitive they are to them.
As part of a research study, 136 women who were trying to get pregnant kept daily records of their symptoms from the time they stopped using birth control until they were 8 weeks pregnant. The results of the study showed that:
- 50% had some symptoms at 5 weeks.
- 70% had symptoms by 6 weeks.
- 90% had symptoms by 8 weeks.
The first sign of pregnancy was a missed period, and the most common symptoms that followed were nausea, vomiting, fatigue, frequent urination, and breast tenderness and swelling. Symptoms ranged from mild to severe.
Bryant J, Jamil RT, Thistle J. Fetal Movement. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470566/
National Institutes of Health. What Are Some Common Signs of Pregnancy? https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancy/conditioninfo/signs
Mayo Clinic. 2nd Trimester Pregnancy: What to Expect. mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy/art-20047732
Top When During Pregnancy You Start to Feel Flutters Related Articles
Braxton Hicks Contractions (False Labor)
Braxton Hicks contractions are also known as false labor pains. Though these irregular uterine contractions may occur in the second trimester, they're more likely to occur during the third trimester of pregnancy. Unlike true labor pains, false labor pains are often irregular, may stop when you walk, rest, or change positions, and the contractions do not get closer together or stronger.
What Are the Do's and Don'ts During the First Trimester of Pregnancy?
The first trimester of your pregnancy is the first twelve weeks that you're pregnant. The do's during the first trimester of pregnancy include getting prenatal care and maintaining your health, rest and mental health; the don't include drinking alcohol, smoking, using drugs, eating dangerous foods and engaging in risky behaviors.
16 Early Signs & Symptoms of Pregnancy: Could You Be Pregnant?
What are the early signs and symptoms of pregnancy? Can you know before your missed period? Read about nausea and vomiting (morning sickness), bloating, tender breasts, and more. Explore first trimester symptoms of pregnancy and learn what week pregnancy symptoms start.
Am I Pregnant Quiz
What are early pregnancy symptoms? In some women, symptoms range from a missed period to feeling lightheaded. Others may experience typical "morning sickness" and food cravings. Could you be pregnant? Take the quiz!
Exercise & Pregnancy
Pregnancy exercises and workouts for moms-to-be include Kegel exercises and prenatal yoga. A prenatal workout is an important part of healthy living. Try these safe exercises for pregnancy.
How Much Weight Should You Gain Each Trimester?
Pregnancy is a unique time during which the body undergoes multiple changes. Pregnant women experience changes in their moods, skin, joints and body weight. The weight gain occurs as the result of the added weight of the developing baby, the developing placenta and water retention due to hormonal effects of pregnancy.
Pregnancy Myths and Facts Quiz
Being pregnant is a delicate time for both mother and baby. Take this pregnancy myths and facts quiz to separate the myths and facts about being pregnant, and learn the truth behind healthy pregnancies!
Early Pregnancy Symptoms: Am I Pregnant?
Pregnancy symptoms can vary from woman to woman, and not all women experience the same symptoms. When women do experience pregnancy symptoms they may include symptoms including missed menstrual period, mood changes, headaches, lower back pain, fatigue, nausea, breast tenderness, and heartburn. Signs and symptoms in late pregnancy include leg swelling and shortness of breath. Options for relief of pregnancy symptoms include exercise, diet, and other lifestyle changes.
Second Trimester (16 Weeks) Picture
The Baby at 16 Weeks. Muscle tissue and bone continue to form, creating a more complete skeleton. See a picture of Second Trimester (16 Weeks) and learn more about the health topic.
Stages of Pregnancy: Week by Week
See pictures on the various stages of pregnancy. See and learn what changes a woman's body goes through and view fetal images of how her baby grows during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters.
Pregnancy: 7 Common Third Trimester Tests
Testing is often recommended during the third trimester of pregnancy. These tests are designed to ensure the health and safety of both the child and mother. Common tests during the third trimester of a woman's pregnancy include:- group B streptococcus screening,
- electronic fetal heart monitoring,
- nonstress test,
- contraction stress test, and
- a biophysical profile.
What Should I Be Feeling at 18 Weeks Pregnant?
The 18th week of pregnancy is a crucial stage in the development of the fetus. The mother is in the second trimester and starts experiencing the important milestones of pregnancy. The mother can feel the baby’s first movement inside her uterus. This is known as quickening.What Should I Be Feeling at 19 Weeks of Pregnancy?
The 19th week of pregnancy or the 5th month of pregnancy is when most of the major organs and organ systems have formed in the fetus. The formed organ system continues to grow and form its respective shapes in the following months. The weight of the fetus increases each month to become a baby that can survive outside of the uterus.
What Should I Expect at 5 Weeks Pregnant? 13 Changes
The fifth week of pregnancy is usually the time when you have just discovered that you are pregnant. This is the time when you have missed your periods, and you take a urine pregnancy test that turns out to be positive.
When Should You Be Worried About Fetal Movement?
During your third trimester, you should be able to feel about 10 fetal movements within 2 hours. Paying attention to the patterns of your baby’s movements will help you notice if there’s a change in frequency.
When Should You Stop Traveling While Pregnant?
For uncomplicated pregnancies, it can be safe to travel during your pregnancy. However, the recommended time to travel is during your second trimester.