In 60 seconds
Your short plan for this week
Notice possible first movements without setting a quota; they may feel like taps, flutters, bubbles or a small muscle twitch.
The anatomy assessment is commonly offered around weeks 18–22; confirm your appointment window and the purpose of the scan.
Do not use someone else's movement timeline as a deadline. Ask your care team when they expect you to call if you have felt none.
What you may notice
Your body and how you may feel
Some first-time parents begin feeling movement now, while others will not for several more weeks.
What is happening
Baby’s development this week
Hearing structures and movement patterns are developing.
Plain-language examples
What this means in real life
First-time parents often recognize movement later than people who have been pregnant before. Placenta position and dating can change what is felt.
A short checklist
What to do now
- Notice possible first movements without setting a quota; they may feel like taps, flutters, bubbles or a small muscle twitch.
- Stay active in ways that feel stable and are appropriate for your pregnancy.
- Learn what movement changes should prompt a call later in pregnancy.
Pause and check
What not to do—or what to ask first
- Do not use someone else's movement timeline as a deadline. Ask your care team when they expect you to call if you have felt none.
What may be coming up
Appointments, tests and decisions
The anatomy assessment is commonly offered around weeks 18–22; confirm your appointment window and the purpose of the scan.
For the support person
One useful thing a partner can do
- Keep expectations gentle—movement may be felt internally for weeks before it can be felt from the outside.
Contact your care team
Contact your doctor or maternity team promptly
Some concerns need advice before the next routine appointment even when they do not feel like an emergency. If a symptom becomes severe, sudden or frightening, use urgent care instead.
See when to contact careUrgent or emergency
Urgent signs during pregnancy or within a year after birth
Get medical care immediately for these symptoms. The list is not exhaustive; if something feels seriously wrong, seek help.
Open urgent warning signs