Many new moms eagerly await quickening, or the first time they feel their babies move inside the womb. Sometimes those first movements are unmistakable and sometimes you might not know if you're feeling gas or flutters. As your pregnancy progresses, your baby's movements will be stronger and more defined. In the beginning, you might be able to identify a few of the subtle differences between gas and flutters.
Timing
If you experience sensations prior to 13 weeks, they're likely to be gas. According to the American Pregnancy Association, most women experience quickening, or the first movements of their new babies, between 13 and 25 weeks. It's more likely that you'll feel movement around 18 to 20 weeks.
Sensation
Sometimes you will be unable to tell the difference between your baby moving and air moving through your digestive system, especially in early pregnancy. Baby movements feel more like a flutter while gas bubbles tend to feel more like gurgles. If the sensations are accompanied by bloating or pain, you're likely experiencing gas. Keeping a journal of when you experience movements, what they feel like and what foods you eat will help you get a clearer picture of what's happening.
Patterns
If you pay attention to your baby's movement over time, you'll begin to notice when he's active. If you always feel the sensations right after eating or right before bed, that pattern likely indicates that it's you're baby rather than gas. As your pregnancy progresses, you'll be able to tell when your baby is asleep and when he's awake, which makes identifying his movements much easier.
Encouraging Movement
If you think your baby might have moved, try to encourage your baby to move again to confirm your suspicion. Gently press on your belly, take a sip of a cold drink, eat another bite of food or switch positions to see if your baby moves. Bear down on your bowels to try to pass gas and see if the sensation repeats or resolves after you pass gas.
