Most first-time pregnant women feel their baby move for the first time somewhere between weeks 18 and 22 of pregnancy. Some feel it a little earlier, others a little later, and both are completely normal. The very first movements are rarely distinct kicks. They feel like small bubbles, a slight tremor, or a sensation of a little "tickle" deep down in the belly. Here, you'll get an overview of when you can expect to feel life, what it feels like, why it often happens earlier in your second pregnancy, and when it makes sense to reach out to your midwife.

When do you feel the first movements?

If it's your first pregnancy, the period around weeks 18 to 22 is the most common. Feeling the first movements is often called "quickening" in professional terms, and it simply covers the moment when you first recognize the baby's movements as exactly that.

Your baby has actually been moving for many weeks before that. The movements are just so small and soft that they get lost in everything else happening in your body. As the baby grows and gets stronger, the movements become powerful enough for you to feel them.

Several factors influence when you feel life:

• Whether it's your first pregnancy or not
• Where the placenta is located (if it's on the front wall, it dampens the movements, so you feel them later)
• Your own body and how attentive you are to sensations
• What you're doing when the baby moves – many feel it most clearly when they are still

Dear, try not to compare yourself too closely to others. There's a wide range of when women feel life, and feeling it a little later than a friend doesn't mean anything is wrong.

What do the baby's first movements feel like?

The first movements are rarely the bumps and kicks many imagine. Initially, they are much more subtle, and it can take some time to understand that it is indeed the baby you are feeling.

Many describe the early movements like this:

• Small bubbles, a bit like gas in the stomach
• A slight tremor or fluttering
• A sensation of something "turning over" deep inside
• Soft nudges that come and go

As the weeks pass, the movements become more distinct and recognizable. Around week 24 and onwards, many begin to feel actual kicks, and later in pregnancy, you can often both see and feel when the baby stretches or changes position.

Why do you feel life earlier in a second pregnancy?

If you've been pregnant before, you typically feel life earlier – often as early as weeks 16 to 18, and for some, even sooner. This isn't because your baby is more active, but because you know what to look out for.

The first time, those soft bubbles can easily be mistaken for ordinary sensations in the stomach. The second time, you recognize the feeling immediately because you've experienced it before. Your body has also experienced a pregnancy before, and the abdominal wall is often a bit more yielding, which can make the movements easier to feel.

The same applies to the third and subsequent pregnancies. The routine from previous experiences means that many feel life even earlier and interpret the sensations correctly more quickly.

How can you feel the baby more clearly?

If you're eager to feel your baby, you can help the sensation along a bit. It's mostly about giving yourself peace and attention.

1. Lie down on your side in a quiet place, preferably when you're resting anyway
2. Place a hand on your belly and feel without expecting anything specific
3. Be attentive when you're still – many babies are most active when their mother is at rest
4. Notice if there are times of day when you feel something more often

And remember, dear, that rest is not a waste of time. It is precisely in the quiet that the subtle, early movements are easiest to detect.

What to be aware of later in pregnancy?

Once you are well into your pregnancy, typically from around weeks 24 to 28, most people start to notice a pattern in the baby's movements. You gradually learn your baby's rhythm – when it's usually active and when it rests.

It's worth keeping an eye on this pattern. If you experience a clear change where the baby moves significantly less than usual, don't sit alone with the worry. Contact your midwife or maternity ward and have it checked. It's always okay to call, even if it turns out to be a false alarm. You know your body and your baby best.

This article cannot replace a conversation with your midwife or doctor. If you are in doubt, or if you have symptoms that worry you, reach out to a professional – that's what they are there for.

Comfort in a changing body

While you're waiting for and feeling the first movements, your body is fully engaged in changing. Your belly grows, your breasts become heavier and more tender, and clothes that fit just a few weeks ago can suddenly feel tight. This is where it's about feeling comfortable, so you have the energy to enjoy the small milestones along the way.

Carriwell specialized in seamless design almost three decades ago and was among the first in the world. Seamless doesn't just mean the absence of seams, but a feeling of lightness. A bra or top conforms to the body, moves with you, and feels almost invisible against the skin. For pregnant and new mothers, whose bodies are constantly changing, the difference can be felt in everyday life.

An important thing to know is that underwire is a big no-go during pregnancy and breastfeeding. An underwire can block milk ducts and damage the breasts, and therefore it's not just a matter of what you prefer. Carriwell's patented Gel-Support® technology is a soft alternative: it combines the flexibility of soft silicone with a specially developed shape. The gel wire is shaped so that it does not harm the sides of the breast towards the armpit, where the milk ducts grow. The combination of shape and gel provides support that follows the body's changing forms throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding without blocking the milk ducts. You can find it in the Gel-Support® maternity and nursing bra.

If you need to see the selection of bras that follow the entire journey from the first trimester to breastfeeding, you can look in the collection bras for pregnant women. If your belly is growing, and you need some gentle support and relief for your back, there are also maternity belts that provide relief as the weight on your belly increases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you feel life as early as week 16?

Yes, it is possible, especially if you have been pregnant before. First-time pregnant women usually feel life a little later, typically between weeks 18 and 22, but there is great variation from woman to woman.

Why don't I feel life yet?

There can be several explanations. If the placenta is on the front wall, it dampens the movements, so you feel them later. If it's your first pregnancy, it can also take some time to recognize the soft, early sensations. If you are worried, you are always welcome to contact your midwife.

What if my baby suddenly moves less?

Once you have learned your baby's pattern later in pregnancy, you should react to a clear change where movements become significantly fewer. Don't wait – contact your midwife or maternity ward and have it checked. It's always okay to call.

Do movements feel different in a second pregnancy?

The movements themselves feel the same, but you recognize them faster because you've experienced it before. Therefore, many find that they feel life earlier the second time, often as early as weeks 16 to 18.