Baby Shaking In The Womb – 5 Important Reasons Every Parent Should Know

Experiencing your fetus moving for the first time is an incredible moment of connection during pregnancy. You’re filled with joy knowing your unborn child is active and thriving. However, as your baby’s movements become more pronounced, you may start to wonder about the baby shaking in the womb—is it normal or cause for concern?

Rest assured, babies can move in various ways for different reasons. Just because their movements seem unsettling or repetitive doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem. In this guide, we’ll explore the reasons behind why the baby is shaking in the womb empowering you to better understand what’s happening in your womb and whether any concerns should arise.

When Will You First Feel Your Baby Shaking In The Womb

Baby shaking in the womb is usually felt between 18 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. Sometimes as early as 16 weeks and as late as 22 weeks of pregnancy.

This can get delayed in cases of first pregnancy, a placenta that sits on the front surface of the uterus, obesity, or turned pregnancy. 

When you notice your baby shaking in the womb for the first time, it won’t be consistent every day. This might raise other concerns such as can fetal heartbeat disappear and reappear. Baby movements are subtle and your baby can frequently turn to face backward which decreases movement felt. 

Oftentimes, a more usual movement might be felt, with repetitive rhythms, and sudden shaking. Neither of these is of any specific concern. 

What Does It Mean When A Baby Is Shaking In The Womb?

Baby shaking in the womb is completely normal at a certain pregnancy stage. It’s okay to feel your baby move quite often. 

Most fetal movement is a positive sign that your baby is in good health and active— an active baby is a healthy baby.  

Although baby shaking in the womb can be sudden, sharp, and rhythmic, all are normal. So, embrace movement whether they are hiccups, muscle spasms, or punches. 

What Causes Baby Shaking In The Womb?

1. Hiccups

It sounds crazy that babies have hiccups even before they are born, but it happens. Baby shaking in the womb can be caused by hiccups which lead to weird sensations. Your unborn child might hiccup at the same time every day. 

As a result of these hiccups, some moms experience mild vibrations, shivers, or twitches. Likewise, babies get to cough or sneeze in the womb suddenly which causes a shake. But, it’s no cause for concern.

2. Stretching

As you reach your due date, your baby begins to run out of space in the womb. Your baby will want to stretch those little arms and legs in preparation for birth. 

However, this doesn’t feel like a punch or kick as it may seem. You’re likely to interpret this as a twitch or spasm which usually lasts longer and stronger.

3. Startle Reflex

The startle Reflex is an involuntary response that usually happens when your baby is startled by a sudden movement, loud noise, or unfamiliar stimuli from the environment. 

It is amazing how unborn babies can hear outside noise fairly well. Don’t be surprised if you get a quick twitch or shake in your womb at the sound of sudden loud noise. Babies easily get startled and jump if an unexpected noise occurs.

4. Cord Movement

The amniotic fluid in your womb allows your baby to float, likewise, the cord. Oftentimes, babies become entangled in their cords. Mothers may feel their baby shaking in the womb as the baby moves to wiggle free from the cord. 

This may sound scarier than it seems, but all babies get looped in their cords at some point in time and it’s completely normal.

5. Fetus’s Nervous System Development

Baby’s nervous system starts developing from day 16 after conception. This is when neutral platforms of the baby’s nervous system begin and develop to an incredible extent to later become the baby’s spinal cord. 

The nervous system of a growing baby is complex and contains the cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem, pituitary gland, and hypothalamus. All these play vital roles in the physical health of motor movement, coordination, and future developmental milestones. 

During a fetus’s nervous system development, you may feel your baby shake. As your baby undergoes growth, muscles can move involuntarily, muscle spasms are the result. 

This movement feels quick and might resemble a seizure, but don’t be quick to conclude, consult your doctor Immediately. 

6. Braxton Hicks

Braxton hicks are your body’s way of practicing for real labor contraction. The uterus tightens when this happens. Having flu-like symptoms which is common before labor is less likely to happen since it isn’t real labor.

It’s common for expectant mothers to have a lot of movement suddenly in their womb before a Braxton hick occurs. You should observe if your fetal movement happens before Braxton hicks, if yes, the baby is likely moving because of a response to your uterus tightening up. 

Braxton hicks usually happen if you’re dehydrated, doing a lot of physical activity, or getting close to physical labor. If you experience this, calm down and drink water. This should reduce the movement and make you feel relaxed.

7. What You Eat

What you eat could result in your baby shaking in the womb. Babies react differently to the nature of the food you eat while pregnant. Baby becomes significantly more active if you consume very cold drinks, caffeine, or surgery food. This type of movement may be stronger than what you consider normal. 

As a pregnant woman, there are foods you should minimize which include caffeine and surgery food. In addition to making your baby active, these foods might harm your unborn child, cause a birth deformity, and may later affect the health of your baby.

Also, you might be wondering if you can eat hot Cheetos while pregnant without harming your unborn child. If unsure about any food intake while you are pregnant, don’t hesitate to consult your doctor.

8. Irritable Uterus

An irritable uterus can cause your uterus to twitch. It’s similar to Braxton hicks, but sometimes more painful than Braxton hicks. The frequent bouts of contractions often cause your baby to kick and move more rapidly. 

The fetus feels and moves along with the contraction. These irregular spasms should not dilate your cervix. 

Can Baby Shaking In The Womb Be A Seizure?

Many new moms will wonder if a baby shaking in the womb is something to be worried about or not.

It’s important to pay attention to every little movement your fetus makes throughout pregnancy. But sometimes it might be worrying to see how your baby is moving, particularly if the movement feels like a seizure.

A fetus can have a seizure, but it’s extremely uncommon. If they do, it is typically due to a congenital anomaly. Expectant moms who are at risk for seizures during pregnancy can be identified by doctors and informed.

Your unborn child is safe and developing normally if your doctor has not informed you that there is a seizure risk associated with your pregnancy. So, you have nothing to worry about even if the baby shaking in the womb becomes unusual. 

Also, to ease your concerns about your moving fetus, you can use pregnancy tracker apps that are effective and useful. This app can help you see every developmental leap your baby is taking. It also enables you to visualize the size of infants when trying to determine the cause of baby movement in the womb.

Should I Be Concerned When My Baby Is Shaking In Womb?

Experts say that babies who move around a lot are healthy. Movement is good and proof that the baby is growing. As long as the baby is making their presence known by shaking, it’s a good sign all is well. 

There are no medical boundaries that determine if your baby’s movement is too much. Fetal movement indicates good health and should be received with open arms. 

You may experience a random sequence of movements that may seem abnormal especially if it’s your first pregnancy. But, this doesn’t immediately mean something is wrong. Due to the rapid movement, you might also be concerned if you can crack your back while pregnant. 

However, there is no need to worry if your healthcare provider has not said so. Walk closely with your doctor during this time and feel free to relate any worry you may have to your doctor. 

Treatments For Irritable Uterus

You can start treatment at home if you think your uterus is irritable and wait for it to calm down before going to the hospital.

Make sure to follow these steps if your uterus appears irritable:

• Despite how distracting your contractions are, get enough rest.

• Avoid lifting anything heavy as this may cause more contractions

• Frequently eat healthy small meals. Okra water is also helpful during pregnancy

• To stay hydrated, consume plenty of liquids, especially water

• Avoid drinking caffeine because it will make you even more dehydrated and make your contractions worse

• You can take a supplement called magnesium to help your muscles relax.

• Avoid stress if possible since this can bring about early labor

If the at-home measures don’t make any difference you should call your obstetrician for further assessment and treatments.

Should You Be Concerned If Baby Shaking in Womb Stops?

A fetus who suddenly stops moving is more concerning than a baby who continuously moves rapidly. If your baby stops moving, it could mean that your baby has stopped moving to conserve energy.

Later in your pregnancy after 32 weeks, movement becomes more consistent in a repetitive pattern for each day. Remember, numbers don’t matter to the well-being of your baby but the normal daily pattern. 

If it suddenly decreases substantially, lying down for up to two hours paying attention to the movement, while gently pushing your abdomen about may also cause a response from your baby. 

Furthermore, if movement remains reduced in late pregnancy even after spending time focusing on the movement for at least two hours, then you need to contact your obstetrician. Don’t leave it until the next day as further assessment of your baby is needed immediately. 

To get an overall picture of what a baby shaking in the womb looks like, an ultrasound may be required within the next 24 hours. Ultrasound can look into further measurable indicators of your baby’s well-being.

Also, If you’re feeling concerned with the movement or lack of movement coming from your baby, then you can perform a fetal kick count. A kick count is when you count the number of kicks coming from your fetus in a few hours.

How To Carry Out A Kick Count For Your Fetal

Choose a moment when you can be alone, relaxed, and sit for a while so that you can pay close attention to the movement in your belly. There is no cause for concern if your baby kicks or moves 10 times or more in 3 hours.

You should call your obstetrician to check if there is any reason for concern or if you require additional testing if your baby doesn’t move more than 10 times in three hours.

Oftentimes, getting watched over in a hospital for an hour to ensure that you and your baby are doing well is not a problem.

Conclusion

Baby shaking in the womb is essential for any healthy pregnancy. It helps you know that your little one is doing fine without needing to go to the hospital daily. 

Nothing is more reassuring than feeling your growing baby’s flutters or kicks. If you’re still concerned with the way your baby is moving after reading this article, call your doctor for additional guidance.

Mothers who experience a fetus that completely stops moving are in a situation that needs to be handled right away. A lack of movement should be seen as more urgent than any rhythmic, rapid, or seizure-like feeling coming from a fetus.