QuestionDr. Rappaport, I am 16 weeks and 1 day along and I felt my baby kicking around 12 weeks, this is my 6th pregnancy so my muscles are weak which, I think, is why I could feel it kick so soon. When I was 14 weeks along my mother died, it goes without saying that it was a very stressful time for me, I could not eat, sleep, I had horrible diarrhea, etc. My doctors office put me on a mild sedative for the funeral, I only took 1 pill and never had to take anymore. Also, the other night my abdomen was hurting really bad, so I put a heating pad on me on the lowest level, but I fell asleep. Now I can eat, sleep and things but I never feel the baby kick, and I am much further along now. Is it normal for the baby to take a break or do you recommend I have my doctor check out everything?
Thank you very much for your information!
Melinda
AnswerNormally, the baby does not start kicking until around 20 weeks gestational age. What you were feeling was not fetal movement but probably gas in the initestines and the movement of your organs that were being pushed up by the growing uterus. There is no problem. If you do not feel fetal movement after 22 weeks, contact your doctor. Until then, there is nothing to worry about.
