A frequently asked question: Is it normal not to feel my baby's movements yet?

BACKGROUND

This study aims to investigate average gestational week in which mothers feel their baby's movements for the first time, and the maternal-fetal factors affecting this time.

METHODS

A total of 423 pregnant women between 11 and 25 weeks of gestation were included in this prospective study. The patient cohort was divided into three subgroups according to the gestational week in which fetal movements were felt for the first time by the pregnant women. The women who felt the first movement before 25th percentile value constituted Group 1; between 25th and 75th percentile value constituted Group 2; and beyond 75th percentile value constituted Group 3. These three groups were then compared in terms of maternal age, parity, body mass index (BMI), tea and coffee consumption during pregnancy, smoking, educational status, accordance of mother to regular pregnancy follow-ups, placental site, and gender of the baby.

RESULTS

These three groups were statistically and significantly different regarding the above mentioned determinants except for mothers' tea and coffee consumption, smoking, and gender of the baby (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study revealed factors that affect maternal perception of first fetal movements in both a positive and negative manner. Although it is hard to define an exact time for each individual, an approximate time according to our data can be given to a mother, which considers an affecting factor on the basis of average gestational week.