You can start to feel your baby move from the outside generally between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. However, this can vary widely from person to person, with some partners or loved ones able to sense fetal movements as early as 20 weeks , while for others it might be closer to 30 weeks. Factors affecting when you can feel movements from the outside include the position of the placenta, the amount of amniotic fluid, the mother’s body type, and whether it is a first pregnancy. Typically, the mother begins to feel initial fetal movements (known as quickening) between 15 and 20 weeks , and these are usually felt first on the inside as gentle fluttering or kicks. Movements become strong enough to be felt externally a bit later, which is why many partners or those touching the belly will start to feel these movements sometime in the mid-second to third trimester. In summary:
- Baby movements felt by the mother inside: between 15 and 20 weeks
- Baby movements felt from outside by others: mostly from 24 to 28 weeks , but could range from 20 to 30 weeks depending on various factors
These timeframes are general and can vary depending on individual circumstances.
