Does It Hurt When The Baby Kicks?

The most important thing for expectant mothers is to have the right information.

When the baby kicks, it has the power to fascinate both the future parents and the rest of the family. When a family member becomes pregnant, the first thing people around her do is touch her belly to feel the sensation.

The question is,  are these movements painful for the expectant mother?

Everything is relative. When the baby kicks, it does not always hurt, but some of the kicks do. It all depends on the strength of the movement,  as well as a few other factors that need to be considered.

Movements start from week 22  week

Women usually start experiencing movements from the fetus after week 22.  Through this moment of pregnancy, expectant mothers may simply feel a slight rubbing or a mild contact.

This is because the fetus is still very small. It has room to move freely around the uterus.

After a month and a half, expectant mothers will still feel that the kicks are not so annoying. Later, the pressure and the baby’s kicks will increase in strength and regularity.

The expectant mother will, quite basically, feel the fetus collide with the walls of the uterus while changing position. 

As the baby continues to develop, the space will become more and more reduced and this can change the feeling of the movements.

After week 28, it can hurt when the baby kicks 

Through week 28, the baby will continue to grow while the size of the uterus, practically, has reached its limits. This is where the movements of the baby can start to hurt. 

When the baby kicks, it can hurt because the baby comes in contact with the walls of the uterus more often. Furthermore, the child has even developed more physical strength.

The little one may feel uncomfortable and active, and it can sometimes cause pain in the expectant mother. The impact of the baby’s kick can be felt around the expectant mother’s ribs and other organs. 

Some of the kicks may even take the breath away from the expectant mother, or wake her up when she is asleep. There is a very large variation when it comes to the intensity of the baby’s movements.

The night is the period when the baby kicks the most

It has been proven that babies are more active through the night. Between 9pm and midnight, their physical activity increases. It can be a result of (among many other things) food intake.

Expectant mothers need to keep an eye on what they are eating. Some products,  such as those that contain sugar, can stimulate the fetus, even if it is in the womb. Therefore, it is best to reduce your sugar intake before dinner.

If you have any concerns, do not hesitate to consult your gynecologist and inquire about the correct diet that you should follow.

The evening hours are ideal for counting your baby’s movements. It is an activity that many gynecologists advise to assess the baby’s health status.

The purpose of keeping track of the movements is to understand their frequency. That way, the expectant mother will be able to prepare herself to deal with the influences.

Conditions that can make the baby’s kick hurt more 

Each pregnancy has its unique characteristics, and therefore, it is understandable that not all kicks feel the same way.

For example,  first-time mothers may experience these kicks with increased sensitivity. It can happen because the movements can make them surprised.

If the expectant mother is very thin, it may feel more intense when the baby kicks. In these cases, the fetus can easily affect the ribs and the lower abdomen. The weight of the baby is another important factor to consider.

Furthermore,  pregnancies with twins or triplets can have more painful kicks. The reduction in space can be uncomfortable for the future newborns.

In these cases, the kicks may occur more frequently and the expectant mother may suffer from very annoying pain.

Some recommendations for first-time mothers 

The best indicator of a child’s well-being is the frequency of their movements. It is even more disturbing when a child does not move around for extended periods of time.

It is always advisable to discuss your pain problems with your gynecologist. Symptoms that you find worrying should always be assessed by a specialist.

Breathing, walking and stimulating the baby with music are all recommended practices. Yoga for pregnant women has also been shown to reduce the discomfort of fetal movements and kicks.

The good news is that the intense pain only occurs during the last weeks of pregnancy.