is there anything you can do to feel the baby move?

Question

I am 17 weeks and I still haven't felt the baby yet. I know some people don't feel their babies until they are 20 weeks but I was just wondering if there was anything like old wives tales or anything that is suppose to help make the baby move

Answer 1

Most women feel the baby move for the first time when they are sitting or laying down. When you are still it is easier to tell the difference. I felt son for the first time at 19 weeks but didn't realize what I was feeling until a few days later. With my daughter I felt her at 12-13 weeks. When I had my ultra sound with her at 12 weeks she was incredibly active.

Answer 2

Well, you might not feel your baby move until 25 weeks, actually. The ultrasound tech at around 20 weeks didn't believe me that I could feel the baby move, until I demonstrated, so 17 is early! But, that's around when I started. So ...

Don't try just after a walk. Walking lulls them to sleep often.

Drink a glass of cold juice - the sugar kick might get baby's feet tapping.

Try a yoga down-ward dog position, suck in your tummy toward your spine. I'm not kidding!

Turn off the TV and the radio, settle into a comfy position, turn down the lights. Breath slowly, relax, and focus on your tummy. Think about where in your tummy the baby would be (much lower than many think, at that point), and focus on what it feels like around there. The first feelings might be kind of like you've got gas ... just in the 'wrong' place.

Answer 3

There really is nothing that you can do to feel your babies movements until its time.
Generally you should feel your babies first movements, refered to as quickening, around 13 - 16 weeks. Your more likely to feel it this early if you have had at least one child previously to this pregnancy. It may be another few weeks yet if this is your first pregnancy.
Most mothers say it feels rather like butterflies in your tummy. Or like a ball rolling through jelly. If you haven't felt any movement for another two weeks or so I'd bring it up with OBGYN. Until then the baby is most likely to be more active after meals so maybe try to be more alert around those times. Best of luck and congradulations.

Answer 4

If this is your first, it might be a while before you feel the baby move. There isn't really thing at this point that you can do to feel the baby move.. when you do start to feel the baby move it will sorta feel like popcorn popping in your stomach and you'll probably feel it more when you are at rest. Right now, the baby is moving a lot but just isn't big enough for you to feel. Once you do start feeling the baby move, placing a flashlight on your abdomen will result in your baby trying to move away from the light so your likely to feel him/her move then

Answer 5

Well normally you dont feel your baby move until 20 weeks.. But sometimes if you eat a candy bar and drink some OJ might do it tends to make the baby more active.... Other then that just have to let nature take its course

Answer 6

I got it! This works every time. Drink a couple of cans of pop ( I know, but just this once, you guys will be fine) and then lay on your left side, real still, tv off, just try it. At first you might think its the gas, but then you wil come to realize that its, kinda hard to explain here, but its in the wrong place. Its just not where you are used to feeling gas, but the sensation is about the same. Its the baby! And its so magical that you will be so excited. Now once you feel the baby, you will feel him/her everyday for the rest of the pregnancy, because now you know what to feel for. In 2 weeks, you will feel it a little harder, and then in 2 more weeks, it wil be unmistakeable, next 2 weeks, others will be able to feel them, and after that, you will actually be able to see your belly move! Thats kinda freaky at first! In your third trimester if you have a whopper like I did both times, your baby might actually hurt you a little (not too bad just real hard kicks sometimes straight down you would swear theyre trying to kick their way out) and my son would actually get his feet caught between my last 2 ribs! That is real freaky. Im small and my babies were real large so the movements were real limited in the last couple of weeks for they actually ran out of room and went into the head down position ready to be born at like 7 months LOL no more sommersaults but when they drop into the pelvis, its funny you start to waddle they are so far down it feels like they are hanging out kindof and then comes the funniest feeling, their hiccups are in your butt! Thats the funniest movement you will ever feel! cant wait for that huh?

Answer 7

I am not sure if there is anything you can do to help you feel this. I know that when I was that early I didn't feel a thing. I can't really remember when I first felt my baby move but you will know when it happens. People say that it is like butterflies in your belly which is true but it is a very distinct feeling.

Answer 8

There isn't really much for you to do... just sit back and wait. I am at my 20 wks and I still haven't felt anything. I just had an U/S mere days ago... and know it is perfectly fine and moving and such... it just takes a while before you actually feel it. :) Good luck... hope you feel it soon!

Answer 9

at 17 weeks you dont normally feel the baby move. wait untill 20 or more weeks , but now i guess you can try laying on your back, you may have to wait a while just to feel the slighest move but it worked for me.

Answer 10

The baby probably isn't big enough for you to feel it's movements yet. The first time you feel it, it feels like bubbles, not kicks. It could easily be passed off as gas (I know that sounds funny, but it's true.) Just wait it out. You'll feel it soon enough.