What Does It Feel Like When Baby Kicks Your Back?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Early movements are typically felt low in the abdomen and described as something

similar to a flutter

. It may feel like a wave or even a fish swimming. For some, the movement can feel similar to gas or hunger pangs, which can make it tricky to initially identify as kicks.

Contents hide

Can you feel baby kicks in lower back?


Once the baby is quite large

, movements and pressure may also be felt in the woman’s ribs, pubic bone and lower back. During the middle of the pregnancy an unborn baby has plenty of room to move.

When a baby kicks Where do you feel it?

So most fetal movement (kicks, etc.) is felt in

the lower part of the belly

. As both the uterus and fetus grow, a fetus’ movements can be felt all over the belly, including the upper part of the abdomen. So it is completely normal to feel fetal kicks in the lower part of your abdomen prior to 20 weeks.

Why is my baby kicking so low down?

Kicks lower down can mean

your baby is in the breech position

. Fetal position isn’t a concern during the middle of your pregnancy. It’s definitely something to consider as your pregnancy progresses though. Optimal fetal positioning can make birth easier and is something you can actively encourage.

What does an active baby in the womb mean?

Generally, an active baby is

a healthy baby

. The movement is your baby exercising to promote healthy bone and joint development. All pregnancies and all babies are different, but it’s unlikely that lots of activity means anything other than your baby is growing in size and strength.

Who kicks more boy or girl?

One study, published in 2001 in the journal Human Fetal and Neonatal Movement Patterns, found that

boys may move around more in the womb than girls

. The average number of leg movements was much higher in the boys compared to the girls at 20, 34 and 37 weeks, that study found.

Can you feel the baby move very low at 36 weeks?

Pregnancy symptoms at 36 weeks

You may begin to feel

increased pressure in your lower belly

and notice that your baby is gradually moving down into your pelvis. This is called lightening or engagement.

When Can You Feel kicks from anterior placenta?

Most women first feel their baby move somewhere

between 16 and 24 weeks of pregnancy

. It’s common for anterior placenta mums to feel first movements later than those with a placenta elsewhere, as their placenta cushions those early wriggles.

When can dads feel kicks?

Most women can first share their baby’s movements with their partner

between weeks 20 and 24 of pregnancy

, which is partway through the second trimester.

Is it gas bubbles or the baby moving?

Sometime between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy, you will start to feel your

baby move

. At first, these small movements feel like fluttering or “butterflies.” Some women say that they feel like gas bubbles. These first flutters are sometimes called “quickening.”

Can a baby kick so hard your water breaks?

Baby’s movement in utero can also cause

a sudden gush

, as can a contraction. If your amniotic sac breaks forcefully (for example, during a strong contraction and/or when baby slips into a lower position), the resulting gush can also be forceful.

What does baby’s head feel like in womb?

When the baby’s head is up, you’re more likely to experience

discomfort under the ribs

and to feel kicking in the lower belly. When the baby is head down, you’ll probably be feeling kicking higher up in the belly, and discomfort or pressure in the pelvis rather than the upper belly.

Can I hurt baby by pressing on stomach?

Thankfully, there’s no need to worry every time you bump your tummy; even a front-forward fall or a kick from your toddler

is unlikely to hurt your baby-to-be

.

How do you know if your baby is OK in the womb?

The

heart of the baby

starts to beat around the fifth week of pregnancy. To confirm the heartbeat of your baby, the doctor may conduct a non-stress test. The test monitors the heart rate of the baby and provides information about the potential threat, if any. A healthy heartbeat is between 110 to 160 per minute.

What are signs of Down syndrome in a fetus?

  • impulsive behavior.
  • poor judgment.
  • short attention span.
  • slow learning capabilities.

How can I wake up my baby in the womb?

Some moms report that a short burst of exercise

(like jogging in place)

is enough to wake up their baby in the womb. Shine a flashlight on your tummy. Towards the middle of the second trimester, your baby may be able to tell the difference between light and dark; a moving light source may interest them.

What’s the difference between a girl bump and boy bump?

If a pregnant woman has a neat bump that sticks out in front like a netball, then it is a boy.

If the weight is more spread out around her middle then it is a girl

.

Which week is best for delivery?

  • If your pregnancy is healthy, it’s best to stay pregnant for at least 39 weeks. …
  • Scheduling means you and your provider decide when to have your baby by labor induction or cesarean birth.

Are you more angry when pregnant with a boy?

So it appears there’s not enough evidence to back up claims male or female pregnancies differ significantly in terms of the maternal hormonal environment. This makes it

unlikely

that anecdotes of moodier, angrier or uglier pregnancies are due to the sex of the fetus.

What are signs you’re having a boy?

  • Your baby’s heartbeat is lower than 140 beats per minute.
  • You’re carrying all out front.
  • You’re carrying low.
  • You’re blooming in pregnancy.
  • You didn’t suffer from morning sickness in your first trimester.
  • Your right breast is bigger than your left.

Is 36 weeks considered 9 months pregnant?

At 36 weeks pregnant, you’re officially

nine months along

.

How long before birth does baby go head down?

At the end of the third trimester, the baby settles, or drops lower, into the mother’s pelvis. This is known as dropping or lightening. Dropping is not a good predictor of when labor will begin. In first-time mothers, dropping usually occurs

2 to 4 weeks before delivery

, but it can happen earlier.

What does baby movement feel like with posterior placenta?

Those with a placenta attached to the backside of the uterus (referred to as a posterior placenta) can usually feel

regular movement earlier

, maybe 17-19 weeks. Similar to the cushion effect of a placenta, the more overweight mom is the more challenging it can be to feel the baby move.

Which placenta position is best?


The upper (or fundal) portion of the uterine back wall

is one of the best locations for the fetus to be in. It allows them to move into the anterior position just before birth. Furthermore, a posterior placenta does not affect or interfere with the growth and development of the fetus.

Does your placenta move?

In most pregnancies the placenta attaches to the main part of the womb. But for some women, the placenta attaches lower down and may cover some or all of the cervix (entrance to the womb). In most cases of a low-lying placenta, the placenta

moves upwards and out of the way

as the uterus grows during pregnancy.

What week is baby fully formed?


By 24 weeks

your baby’s organs are fully formed. The baby now has the face of a newborn baby, although the eyes are rather prominent because fat pads are yet to build up in the baby’s cheeks. The eyelids are fused until weeks 25 to 26 when they open. The skin is wrinkled, red and thin with little underlying fat.

Why is my lower stomach vibrating?

A feeling of fluttering or twitching in your abdomen may be a sign your digestive tract is experiencing an

allergic reaction to something you ate

. It’s uncommon, but these feelings can be related to celiac disease, or an abnormal reaction to gluten.

Can a baby fart in the womb?


While babies are unable to fart in the womb

, they do produce urine and waste. In fact, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), your baby will begin urinating sometime between 13 and 16 weeks gestation, when their kidneys are fully formed.

Why is my pregnant belly sometimes hard and sometimes soft?

Why is my belly sometimes hard and sometimes soft?

It feels alien enough when your belly has bulges, bumps, and kicks

. Added to that, it might sometimes feel squishy and other times rock hard. When your pregnant belly feels rock hard and firm all over, it’s usually because you’re having a contraction.

When can the baby hear Dad’s voice in the womb?

Your baby will hear sounds inside your body, like your heartbeat, between 16 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. And

after 23 weeks

, your little one will be able to make out your voice, your partner’s voice, and other sounds from outside your womb.

Why do babies kick in the womb at night?

This is often put down to distraction and being busy during the day, but that may not be the whole story. A number of ultrasound and animal studies have shown that

the fetus has a circadian pattern that involves increased movement in the evening

, and this is likely to reflect normal development.”

What chores should you avoid while pregnant?


Mopping, washing clothes, cleaning the floor and other

chores which requires you to bend is not recommended during pregnancy. Pregnancy weight gain can cause a marginal shift in the body’s centre of gravity and bending during this time can be risky for the sciatic nerve (runs from the lower back to the leg).

How long can you lay on your back when pregnant?


After 20 weeks of pregnancy

, try not to spend the entire night on your back, Dr. Zanotti advises. She suggests putting a pillow between your back and the mattress as insurance. That way, even if you do roll over, you’re on a bit of a tilt.

Can I squish my baby by sleeping on my stomach?

You may even worry that lying down on your stomach to relax or stretch could hurt your baby. Turns out that

you cannot hurt your baby

by lying on your stomach while pregnant, but once you are further along you might not be able to do it anyway.

Are first babies usually late?

First babies

usually arrive late

It’s true that only 4% of babies are born on their due dates, and that plenty of first babies are born late, but plenty of others are born early.

What does it feel like when baby drops?

Once your baby drops, you might notice

a lot of increased pressure in your pelvis

. This may be a time when you develop a significant pregnancy “waddle” as you adjust. This is probably the same feeling as walking around with what feels like a bowling ball between your legs.

How do you know when labor is approaching?

  1. contractions or tightenings.
  2. a “show”, when the plug of mucus from your cervix (entrance to your womb, or uterus) comes away.
  3. backache.
  4. an urge to go to the toilet, which is caused by your baby’s head pressing on your bowel.
  5. your waters breaking.

Do babies like it when you rub your belly?

If you’re pregnant, you know that

rubbing your belly simply makes you feel good no matter the reason

. (And during pregnancy, things that feel good are always a huge bonus.) Now, a new study confirms that fetuses respond powerfully to belly touches, which may suggest that it makes them feel good, too!

How can I tell where my baby is positioned?

When the fetus is in the back-to-back or posterior position, the pregnancy

bump may feel squishy

. A woman may also notice kicks around the middle of the belly, and some people may also see an indentation around their belly button. When the fetus is in the anterior position, a woman may feel more kicks under the ribs.

How should you sit in bed while pregnant?

Try to sleep in a position that helps you maintain the curve in your back (such as on your side with your knees slightly bent, with a pillow between your knees).

Do not sleep on your side with your knees drawn up to your chest

. Avoid sleeping on your stomach. Select a firm mattress and box spring set that does not sag.

Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.