How to Tell the Difference Between Gas Bubbles and the Baby Moving

If you’re pregnant with your first child, you may be wondering when you’re going to start feeling your unborn baby move. Will you suddenly look down at your stomach and see a bulge from a little foot? Feel a sharp jab near your ribs? How will you know it’s your little one when there are other things going on in your abdomen, like hunger pangs, gas bubbles and stomach gurgles? Here are some facts to consider.

Typically, fetuses start moving when they’re around 7 or 8 weeks old. You won’t likely feel this movement at all, as the baby’s still much too tiny to detect in your expanding uterus. Many mothers start to notice their babies moving somewhere between weeks 16 and 25 of pregnancy, but some may start detecting movement as early as 13 weeks.

These first movements are known as “quickening.” Moms who have already had children and thinner women often notice this a bit earlier.

So what does it feel like? Everyone describes it differently, but you might expect to feel something like butterfly flutters, popcorn kernels popping, a tumbling sensation, tapping or nervous twitches. You’re more likely to notice these sensations when you’re sitting or lying in a quiet position.

In your second and third trimesters, you should be able to feel more distinct movements, like kicks jabs and elbows. Just keep in mind that fetal movement is often more regular than gas, and it tends to happen at certain times of the day, usually between 9pm and 1am.

Differences in Sensation

Baby Movements:

• Often described as flutters, twitches, or gentle pokes
• May feel like muscle spasms or a “bag of eels” in the stomach

Some women describe it as popcorn popping or a goldfish swimming in a bag

• Can feel like a gentle push or poke from the inside

Gas Bubbles:

• Usually move around and bubble
• May cause pain when pressed on the abdomen

• Often felt higher up in the digestive tract

Consistency and Pattern

Baby movements tend to occur in one specific area and don’t typically “move through” like gas does. As pregnancy progresses, the movements become more distinct and regular.

Distinguishing Factors

1. Pressure: Baby movements often have more pressure behind them compared to gas
2. Duration: Gas usually passes quickly, while baby movements may be more sustained
3. Location: Baby movements are typically felt lower in the abdomen than gas

What if You’re Overweight?

Being a more curvy mom-to-be can make it more difficult to tell the difference between gas bubbles and the baby moving:

• Timing: Overweight women may feel baby movements later in their pregnancy because the extra tissue makes it harder to detect those subtle early movements. Try laying on your side, which can make movements more noticeable.
• Location: Movements are typically felt lower in your tummy, below the belly button.
• Intensity: Baby movements may feel more muted due to extra padding.

You’re Not Alone

You’d be surprised to find out how many first time moms (FTMs) share the same experiences and questions. The issue of trying to figure out whether a sensation is gas bubbles or the baby moving appears frequently on Reddit:

To manage gas during pregnancy, women often find relief through light exercise, dietary adjustments, staying hydrated, and sometimes using pregnancy-safe medications as recommended by their healthcare provider.

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What About Braxton Hicks and Round Ligament Pain?

Aside from gas and baby kicks, you may also experience Braxton Hicks contractions or round ligament pain during pregnancy. Braxton Hicks feel like mild, irregular tightening of your belly and can be confused with baby movements, but they aren’t painful. Round ligament pain is a sharp, quick pain in your lower belly or groin caused by the stretching of ligaments as your uterus expands. Knowing these sensations can help you better identify what you’re feeling as your pregnancy progresses.

When in Doubt

If you’re unsure whether you’re feeling the baby or gas:

1. Change positions and see if the sensation continues
2. Wait for more obvious movements as your pregnancy progresses
3. Consult with your doctor if you have concerns, especially if you have changes in movement patterns or severe gas pain with nausea/vomiting

Remember that every pregnancy is unique, and the way you experience baby movements may be different from others. As your pregnancy advances, it will become easier to distinguish between gas and your baby’s movements. Once you enter the latter stages of pregnancy, try using sounds or touch to get your little one to move – he or she will often respond to you!