Feel those flutters, swishes and rolls

Reduced foetal movement is a reduction in a baby’s regular pattern of movement.

Most women begin to feel their baby move between 16 and 24 weeks of pregnancy, and the movement is typically described as a kick, flutters, swish or roll.

The type of movement may change as pregnancy progresses.

There is no set number of normal movements. A baby will have their own pattern of movements that mothers-to-be should get to recognise. From 16 to 24 weeks on, women should feel the baby move more and more up until 32 weeks, then the moves will stay roughly the same until birth.

Usually, afternoon and evening periods are times of peak activity for a baby. During both day and night, a baby has sleep periods that mostly last between 20 and 40 minutes, and are rarely longer than 90 minutes.

A baby will usually not move during these sleep periods.

There is no set number of kicks a woman should be feeling. What is important is that they know what is normal for their baby.

There is a common misconception that you should be feeling ten kicks over a set period, but this is no longer suggested as all babies are different.

Women who are concerned that their baby has slowed down or stopped moving should contact their midwife or maternity unit immediately.