Baby Moves or Kicks in the Night During Pregnancy– Is it Safe?

A foetus generally spends most of its time sleeping, much like a newborn baby. This is only one of the numerous similarities that newborns and foetuses share. A foetus at 32 weeks is known to be developed enough to be able to listen to sounds, have thoughts and memories, and move around. They also spend nearly 90 to 95% of the time sleeping. Foetuses can hit REM (rapid eye movement) stage of sleeping, which is considered the deep sleep stage in most biological lifeforms. During this period, a foetus mimics the REM patterns of an adult by moving its eyes back and forth at a rapid pace. Here’s what you should know about babies kicking or moving at night.

What Are Normal Foetal Movements?

It is estimated that at seven-months, a foetus that sleeps 95% of the time also moves nearly 50 times every hour. This movement includes those you can feel, like kicking and stretching, as well as those you can’t, like blinking. It is estimated that every baby has unique movements by this period. This makes it hard to say if one type of movement is bad or good.

Doctors usually test the responses and heart rate of a foetus via an ultrasound to ensure the baby’s health. The closer a pregnant woman gets to the date of delivery, the more unique are the kinds of movement. Normal foetal movements are hard to define due to the individuality of the foetus, but a fair estimate is that every foetus stretches its joints, hiccups, blinks, burps, and kicks. If you feel a movement that is not normal, consult a paediatrician for a more detailed explanation about baby movements and take his opinion on the particular movement that had you worried (1).

Is it Okay If the Baby Moves at Night During Pregnancy?

Studies conducted by the American Pregnancy Association show that some babies are nocturnal and due to that are more active at night. You may feel a particularly hard kick if the baby is riled up about something. This can be due to discomfort, or lack of space for the baby to stretch. Doctors believe that as the foetus grows, it becomes more aware of its surroundings and then begins to resemble a newborn, both physically and psychologically. A baby active in the womb at night is not considered dangerous (5).

Why Do Babies Kick or Move in the Womb at Night?

The activity of the baby at night could be caused by your inactivity at night. During the day your movements can have an effect similar to that of a crib that rocks the baby to sleep. Inactivity could spark the foetus into a sense of alertness (3).

Psychology Today estimates that a baby could be alert and move around at night due to simple reasons like what you had for dinner or a late-night snack or just wanting to hear the mother speak (4). Studies by the same institute have shown that a foetus at the 7-month gestation period begins to react positively and calm down on hearing the mothers voice.

Tips for Would-Be Mothers Regarding Foetal Movements at Night

A baby kicking or moving excessively at night can be very uncomfortable for the mother. Here are a few tips to help settle them down:

1. Sing to the Foetus

Rather than playing music to the foetus, sing to it. Studies from The American Pregnancy Association prove that a mother’s voice helps calm the foetus down. This is why singing a lullaby can help calm down the foetus and put it to sleep (6).

2. Mimic Night Routines During the Day

Mimicking your nightly routine in the middle of the day can help settle the baby into recognising its surroundings, which may help it get used to the lack of movement at night. Watch TV, lie down, or read a book. Sedentary activities even for a few hours can teach the baby to adapt to non-movement scenarios.

3. Observe

Spend a few hours during the day to observe your baby. Their routines may help you understand their behaviour. You may be surprised to notice how much a baby moves during the day. A moving baby is a healthy baby (2).

FAQs

1. Does the baby’s movement pattern reflect their future sleep habits?

While it’s tempting to correlate nighttime kicks with future sleep patterns, there’s no evidence to suggest that an active baby during pregnancy will have similar habits after birth. These movements are simply part of their natural development.

2. Is it normal if my third-trimester baby moves all night?

Yes, it’s completely normal. During the third trimester, your baby’s movements are more pronounced as they grow stronger, and their space in the womb becomes limited. Babies have their activity patterns, and many tend to be more active at night when you are resting and paying closer attention (5).

3. When should I track my baby’s movements?

From the third trimester onwards, tracking your baby’s movements (kick counts) is important to monitor their health. If you notice any unusual changes in their pattern, consult your doctor (4).

Baby moving in the womb at night is not a cause for alarm. Most babies move the same amount during the day. If the baby does not move during the day but does during the night, there is no reason to panic. This may be due to your baby having a nocturnal cycle. Speak to your paediatrician freely and address any concerns you may have with him to put your mind at ease. Stay up-to-date with your check-ups and consultations, and listen to the doctor’s advice. Remember to remain calm – your baby can sense anxiety, which can make it feel uneasy.

References/Resources:

1. Huecker. B. R, Jamil. R. T, Thistle. J; Fetal Movement; National Library of Medicine; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470566/

2. Baby movements in pregnancy; Tommy’s; https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/pregnancy-symptom-checker/baby-fetal-movements

3. Your Baby’s Movements During Pregnancy; PeaceHealth; https://www.peacehealth.org/medical-topics/id/aby3689

4. Fetal Movement Counting; Stanford Medicine Children’s Health; https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=fetal-movement-counting-90-P02449

5. Things that go bump in the night: new ‘normal’ for baby movements; University of Auckland; https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2019/06/13/things-go-bump-in-night-new-normal-for-baby-movements.html

6. Simkin. P; Beautiful Music: The Benefits Of Singing To Your Baby, Before And After Birth; Pathways; https://pathwaystofamilywellness.org/pregnancy-birth/beautiful-music-the-benefits-of-singing-to-your-baby-before-and-after-birth.html

Also Read:

Foetal Kick Counts
Quickening in Pregnancy
Baby Positions in the Womb
Facts About Baby Kicking in the Womb
Foetal Movement – Feeling Your Baby Move