All pregnant parents live for those moments when they can feel their babies kicking. But there are actually things you can do to try to get your little one going in there during your second and third trimesters, when you can feel fetal movement. And lucky for you, we know what they are!
So when you're aching for your sweet pea to wriggle around in there, try these tricks for getting your baby to move and see if you have any luck encouraging those cute little kicks and somersaults you crave.[1]
Just remember, though, that these aren't foolproof or scientific ways to get your baby to kick. Most (if not all) may be suggested or even tried by pregnancy doctors, midwives, nurses and ultrasound technicians during some prenatal appointments.
But if you are worried about a change in fetal movement, you feel something noticeably different once you start counting kicks around week 28 of pregnancy during your third trimester, or it takes longer than two hours to count 10 movements of any kind, call your practitioner and/or head to the maternity ward to get checked out as soon as possible just to make sure everything is okay with your baby.[2]
1. Have a snack.
Babies often respond to those blood sugar boosts of yours much like you do. Next time you're trying to do a kick count[3] or just want reassurance that your little one is okay, try eating a healthy snack like cheese and crackers, peanut butter toast, Greek yogurt, or fruit and nuts. For an extra jolt, add a small glass of (all-natural) juice. The surge in blood sugar may be all it takes to get baby to "kick" it into high gear.
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2. Do some jumping jacks, then sit down
This is a trick the practitioners doing my 20-week ultrasound taught me, since my camera-shy baby girl was hiding in there and it was hard to get accurate measurements.
They told me to go into the hallway, do some jumping jacks or a little jog in place, then come back and we'd try again. The tactic worked, and she rolled into a new spot so that we could see her. Yay!
3. Gently poke or jiggle your baby bump.
This is another tactic a lot of expectant parents (including yours truly) see in action during ultrasounds and doctors' appointments when tracking fetal movement and measuring baby.
The practitioner doing the ultrasound often lightly shakes the device's wand over your tummy to get baby to perk up. And plenty of moms have felt their babies move in utero with just a (very) gentle poke to the stomach or light jiggle of their bump. Just remember not to prod too vigorously: You've got precious cargo in there!
4. Shine a flashlight on your tummy.
By week 22 of pregnancy, it's possible for fetuses to perceive light and dark, so you might feel your baby-to-be react if you shine a flashlight on your stomach. Your little one could well be turning toward or moving away from the spotlight!
5. Lie down.
All that walking, running and moving around we do during the day creates a nice rocking sensation that's more likely to lull babies in utero to sleep than get them up and at 'em. Which is why many pregnant moms notice that the minute they go to bed and are still for once, baby wakes up, gets more active, and may kick more at night (good practice for those newborn overnight feedings). You also may notice those movements more too when your mind is clear and you're lying quietly.
So even if it's not time to sleep (alas), stop what you're doing and lie down for some quiet time. If being on your back doesn't get you results within a few minutes, you can roll on one side or the other and see if that makes a difference. And again, if there's any noticeable change in fetal movement patterns during your daily kick counts in the third trimester (or in general), especially in month 9 of your pregnancy, call your doctor and/or get checked out at a local hospital.
6. Talk to baby.
All that talking and cooing you're doing to your baby bump isn't in vain. Fetal hearing starts developing around 16 weeks pregnant, and by week 22, your little one can likely hear your voice, the swoosh of your blood, loud noises in the house, and other sounds.
He may even react by turning his little head, wriggling, or jumping as his startle reflex kicks in. So talk to your baby, and talk to him often. Those sweet nothings are a good way to get him to respond to you with kicks and other movements.
7. Do something that makes you nervous (within reason).
That adrenaline coursing through your veins when you've got butterflies in your stomach can give baby a rush too. So if watching a certain suspenseful movie scene (or thinking about labor!) makes you jittery and you're itching for baby to move, go for it!
Just don't send yourself into a full-on panic — that won't do either of you any favors.
8. Sing a lullaby or turn up the music (just make sure it's not too loud).
If your usual chatter isn't getting your tiny gymnast to flip and roll, try singing a lullaby or peppier song or turning up the music (some moms put headphones on their tummies). Your little one might respond in kind with a jig that you can feel if you're at least 22 weeks pregnant. Be sure the soundtrack isn't too loud, as that isn't good for baby's developing ears.
These tricks can be easy, fun and safe ways to get your baby to move in utero, but if they don't work for you, remember that all babies are different.
As long as you can feel regular movements starting in the second trimester and continuing through the end of your pregnancy (and even in labor), all is well.
If you're worried about your baby's movements, check in with your practitioner to make sure everything is okay. If there's a noticeable decrease or increase in your baby's normal kick patterns, you can get checked out at the hospital maternity ward. Chances are all is well, or will be once you and baby are seen by a doctor. So have fun counting those adorable baby kicks and bask in one of the most amazing milestones of pregnancy.
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