When Do Plus Size Moms Feel Baby Move?

Feeling your baby move inside of you is a magical experience that many expectant mothers look forward to. However, for plus size moms, the sensation of their baby’s movements can sometimes be different compared to women of average weight.

One important factor to consider is that if you are overweight, you may not notice your baby’s movements until later on in your pregnancy. This delay in feeling the baby move is due to the extra layers of fat that can cushion the movements. Don’t worry if you don’t feel those early flutters as quickly as others – it’s completely normal for plus size moms.

For many plus size moms, the first sensations of their baby’s movements, a phenomenon known as “quickening,” tend to be felt during the latter stages of the pregnancy. Typically, quickening occurs around the 20th week of gestation, but for plus size moms, it may take a bit longer to notice these subtle movements.

To increase your chances of feeling your baby move, try paying close attention to your body after meals, when you are in a relaxed and still position. After eating, blood flow increases to your digestive system, which can stimulate your baby to move around more. Lie down comfortably, focus on your abdomen, and you may start to feel those gentle kicks and flutters.

As your pregnancy progresses, around the 28-week mark, you are likely to notice a significant increase in the frequency and intensity of your baby’s movements. By this stage, fetal movement becomes much more obvious and continuous, regardless of your body size.

It’s important for plus size moms to remember that every pregnancy is unique, and the timing of feeling your baby’s movements can vary from person to person. If you have concerns about not feeling your baby move as frequently as expected, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider for reassurance and guidance.

While it may take a bit longer for plus size moms to feel their baby move compared to others, the bond between you and your little one will only continue to strengthen as your pregnancy progresses. Embrace the journey, cherish each flutter and kick, and trust in the incredible process of growing a new life within you.

When Do Plus Size Moms Feel Baby Move?

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Nancy Sherman

Nancy Sherman has more than a decade of experience in education and is passionate about helping schools, teachers, and students succeed. She began her career as a Teaching Fellow in NY where she worked with educators to develop their instructional practice. Since then she held diverse roles in the field including Educational Researcher, Academic Director for a non-profit foundation, Curriculum Expert and Coach, while also serving on boards of directors for multiple organizations. She is trained in Project-Based Learning, Capstone Design (PBL), Competency-Based Evaluation (CBE) and Social Emotional Learning Development (SELD).