[Shell 1111]

Hi,

I'm 18 weeks pregnant and would like to know when normally should you feel the baby moving? I certainly haven't felt a kick. I have on occasion felt a 'bubble like' feeling in my tummy but I've put that down to needing to go to the toilet, or gas. I bought one of those heart monitor things from Mothercare the other day but can't hear anything?
I have my 20 week scan the end of next week and I would just like to felt something before then.

Shell

[DoulaLC]

Shell,

It's not uncommon to not feel much movement until 20 weeks or so. The bubble like feeling you have now is to be expected at this stage. Some women notice it sooner (usually with subsequent pregnancies), some later. As far as the heart monitor... some work better than others, it can also be a matter of positioning of baby and the placenta. The monitors can be reassuring, when they work... but cause worry when they don't work!

[margarita_momma]

I am currently 17 1/2 weeks pregnant with my second. I have felt a few kicks and squirms within the last 2 weeks but they are very sporadic. I mostly feel the baby when I am laying in bed on my back. I felt my son kick when I was about 16 weeks along. It was very light but as soon as he hit his 20 week mark he almost kicked me to death every day. I was very thin then. I find out in about 2 more weeks what I am having. What are you hoping for? Give it until the 20 week mark. Most women feel their baby's first kick between the 19th and 22nd week.