From the moment you get pregnant you begin to feel funny inside. Not only is baby growing but your digestive system seems to have a mind of its own. With so much going on many women are convinced that they can feel their baby’s movements very early on.

So when can you really first feel baby moving and what does it feel like?

Although your baby will start to kick at about 7 weeks you will not feel it until you are around 16 weeks pregnant and some mothers to be may be 21 or 22 weeks pregnant before anything is felt. First time mothers will usually feel the first kicks at a later period of gestation than a second or third time mother. A thinner woman may feel the movements sooner than a larger woman.

The first movements are small and rapid and are known as “quickening”. Descriptions of these movements vary from woman to woman but the most common description is that it feels like butterflies, bubbles popping or your stomach rumbling.

You will soon kicks regularly throughout the day but should not worry in early or mid pregnancy if you do have brief periods (even up to  day) with no movements. This may just be because of the position that your baby is lying in. As pregnancy progresses, however, you should make a mental note if your baby’s kicks significantly reduce or stop and talk to your medical practionioner as this can sometimes be a sign of distress.

As pregnancy progresses the kicks will be stronger and will even get to the point where you can feel them with your hand and almost convince yourself that there is an audible thud! As there is less and less room in your womb movements will become more visible and often more uncomfortable. Not many mums-to-be welcome a little foot under the ribs or a swift kick to the bladder!

When you reach your third trimester you should keep a mental kick count and should expect to feel around 10 significant movements per hour (though this includes turns, hiccups and other movements not just kicks).