Twitching in Stomach During Pregnancy - Why, & Should I Worry?

Pregnancy is a wonderful yet anxiety filled time. It is during pregnancy we can feel out of control. Your body is doing as it should but it doesn’t mean you won’t flinch at every little niggle or twitch. Let us help alleviate your concerns if you are experiencing twitching in stomach during pregnancy and determine what is normal or not.

Twitching in Stomach During Pregnancy – Normal or Not?

Stomach twitching during pregnancy is a very normal occurrence. Between the stretching of ligaments and the growth of your baby, experiencing unusual movements doesn’t mean that your baby is in distress but if you experience anything out of the ordinary especially as you near the end of your pregnancy be sure to contact your doctor for a check up.

Movements During Pregnancy

Feeling bizarre movements during pregnancy can seem unsettling and fill you with concern. As your baby develops and starts to gain weight you will be accustomed to what is normal for your baby. Throughout this article, you can expect to find out why you experience such wondrous movements and identify what is normal for each gestation.

Stomach Twitching During Pregnancy

Firstly I want to normalize feelings of anxiety during pregnancy. What is a very normal and fantastic experience is also a worrisome time. If you are concerned at any point in your pregnancy, seek advice from your doctor, this is a guide and not to be taken as clinical or medical advice. We will consider what is considered normal during low risk pregnancies and simplify exactly what your stomach twitches could mean.

Early Pregnancy

In your first trimester, you can be subjected to twitches in your belly. I know what you’re thinking, ‘it is too early to be my baby’ and you would be correct. Belly twitching during early pregnancy is common, those early weeks may feel slow and excitement for your first ultrasound festers yet to the outside world you are the same but inside your body is in hyperdrive.

Hormones are going crazy to balance the best possible environment for your baby to live in for the next nine months. Whilst twitches are not a common indicator of early pregnancy many moms can confuse implantation cramping as twinges.

Countdown to pregnancy states that “Some women experience these feelings as early as implantation when the embryo attaches itself to the uterus (6-12 days after ovulation). There are a lot of changes happening in your body, even in very early pregnancy, so cramping and twinges are to be expected.”

Along with missing your period, you can expect the following symptoms:

Morning sickness
Fatigue
Cramping
Spotting
Heartburn
Nausea
Noticeable veins
Constipation
Dizzy spells
Headaches
Foggy head

This paints pregnancy in an undesirable light but it is important to understand that some women only experience one or two of these symptoms whilst others may not feel any difference at all!

Reasons Behind Twitching in Stomach During Pregnancy

Twitching during pregnancy can happen for many reasons. As discovered cramping during implantation can be mistaken for twinges in early pregnancy but there are other reasons you can experience this feeling.

1. Gas

Being gassy is not the best look. Whether it’s traveling north or south, during pregnancy you can be subjected to more build up which can leave you feeling bloated, frequent belching or passing gas, and sharp pains from trapped wind.

Think of a straw, you pass water through it fine but as soon as there is a blockage air bubbles can become trapped and the only way to clear the block is for it to come out either end.

Progesterone supports your pregnancy and whilst it is doing its spectacular job it can also relax your digestive system meaning the food you eat will pass through your intestines at a slower rate allowing gas to build.

A gassy tummy can create spasms in your belly or give you a bubbly feeling. Along with your baby bouncing around it can add to abdominal twitching in pregnancy.

2. Braxton Hicks

Braxton hicks contractions can make themselves known toward the end of your pregnancy. They are known as ‘false labor’ or ‘practice contractions’ because they mimic the tightenings you can feel during labor.

Generally, Braxton Hicks are sporadic and don’t mean that labor is going to start any time soon but they can become unnerving especially if you haven’t experienced them before.

If you are experiencing twitches often and suspect they are Braxton hicks check with your OBGYN but generally they are part and parcel of your pregnancy.

3. Movements

As your baby grows your abdominal muscles are stretched to their capacity giving you the classic pregnancy look. Obviously with a beautiful bump comes marvelous movements. That first flutter or burst of bubbles can be mistaken as a muscle spasm.

On my first pregnancy I remember that feeling, it was bizarre yet felt totally natural. Many moms I’ve spoken to in the past love the feeling of their baby moving and feel a sense of comfort knowing that their baby is expressing movement whilst inside. On the other hand, there are moms I have met that feel grossed out and take a while to get used to this new sensation.

Either way, you can expect to feel your baby move from your second trimester. Flutters at first which will then transform into bigger movements as your baby grows.

4. Stretching Muscles

As reported your abdominal muscles are put to the test during pregnancy. They are built to withstand the stretch of a fully grown baby, now that’s impressive!

As your bump pops your stomach muscle twitching during pregnancy is considered to be normal, the twitch can be trying to maintain its original shape hence the spasms but fear not, they soon get the message to lengthen.

Your ligaments are also put to the test during pregnancy. I suffered from round ligament pain during my second pregnancy which felt awful and meant I had to readdress many movements. Just getting out of the car seemed like a task but nevertheless, we women just get up and on with it.

If you are suffering from ligament pain I found wearing a bump belt helped take the strain off my pelvis and help my maneuverability.

5. Baby Stretching

When you near the end of your pregnancy the comfy water hotel your little one has stayed in becomes rather cramped. Being confined to a small space can make stretching difficult for your baby.

As they reach up they may hold the stretch for a little longer than the typical kick you are used to giving you. This can resemble a tummy twitch.

6. Hiccups

Hiccups can occur before your little one is born. They are practicing swallowing and their diaphragm is working hard to develop before that all-important first breath. From time to time their diaphragm will spasm, leaving your baby with hiccups.

Hiccups whilst still pregnant can be a bizarre feeling. Rhythmic jolts from your baby can feel rather twitch-like but it is perfectly normal. In fact, hiccups could come around the same time every day so it’s good to realize this is a normal part of their development.

7. Development

As your baby’s brain develops it can make their muscles move involuntarily. These spasms can catch you off guard all a part of good growth and development, but there is nothing to worry about!

As you progress through your pregnancy your baby is absorbing all the goodness you have to offer physically but it’s not just their physical abilities, cognitive development is also an important aspect of your baby’s health. Their little brains are surging with electrical streams fixing their pathways to help them coordinate in the outside world.

8. Umbilical Cord

We are told to keep our babies away from long rope-like items when they are born but what we tend to forget is their lifeline when in the womb was the umbilical cord.

It is inevitable for your baby to get caught in the umbilical cord now and again and they can tug, pull and wriggle free from their cord. This can give the mom a weird sensation but generally, all babies wiggle free.

9. Irritable Uterus

A harmless condition that can cause twitches in the stomach during pregnancy. These spasms are irregular and don’t have any negative effect on your baby or on your cervix.

Is Your Baby OK?

You should expect a good range of movements as your baby grows and develops. This is the major indication that all is well with your baby. As previously mentioned you will become familiar with what is normal for your baby and if anything changes in the slightest you must seek medical advice.

Baby’s sleep in the womb especially if you are moving about a lot but this shouldn’t stop you from seeking support from a professional if you are concerned about movements in any way. In fact, doctors advise you to check if movements change.

Counting kicks or recognizing movements is the best bonding time you can have with your baby before they are born. It is also a great way for your partner to get involved if the baby allows it!

My daughter used to perform tricks in my belly and at times they used to feel like muscle twitches but as soon as my husband came near she would stop completely!

As you progress the kicks can get uncomfortable especially if your ribs or bladder are the targets. If you are feeling discomfort then try changing positions but if the pains are too much to bear talk to your doctor they can advise you on how to cope and whether the baby’s positioning has anything to do with it.

Baby’s Health

We know that regular movements are a sign of good fetal health, with moving limbs we understand that our baby has good muscle and brain development. Yet many moms who notice regular twitches could be questioning fetal seizures.

It is important to understand that fetal seizures are extremely rare and whilst there is still a slim chance it could be a seizure it is usually down to a congenital anomaly.

You will be informed by your doctor if this risk is likely but if you are concerned your doctor will be able to give you a clearer understanding if your baby is at risk in any way.

Normal Feelings

What is normal? It is hard to determine a clear answer for this as every pregnancy is different. Both my pregnancies were totally different even though my babies share the same birth parents.

Being pregnant itself feels like a bizarre experience, the thought you are creating and supporting a new life with a whole personality is utterly tremendous. There are times when you will question the normality of what you are experiencing, especially twitching in stomach during pregnancy.

In the early stages of pregnancy, you could be thinking those little flutters are gas but in truth, it could well be your little bean making their presence known.

As you progress, your body will expand and those flutters will turn into movements that you will learn to recognize. They can be fairly random at first but any type of rhythmic or sudden movements means all is well.

Toward my third trimester, I was able to identify limbs and other body parts. At first, it was kinda gross yet comforting to learn that after I ate my baby would do a happy dance and stick her bum right out!

There were times in both my pregnancies when I was concerned about lack of movements and believe me when you are oregano your mind can run away with you. The hardest part for me was thinking the worst and visiting my doctor. I felt as if I was admitting something was wrong. In hindsight as soon as my doctor had a listen to my belly my baby would wake up and perform her usual circus tricks.

This didn’t only make me feel as if I was wasting the doctor’s time but I felt stupid for thinking what if?

It is imperative that if you have any concerns you seek advice. The only way you can tell your baby is happy is through their movements and I won’t be the only one to tell you, you are never wasting a doctor’s time!

Before calling the doctor you can try some of the at home remedies to get your baby moving:

Drinking cold fluids
Eating something sweet
Laying on your left hand side
Taking a bath

Never go to bed with any concerns about your baby’s movements!

I want to address how normal anxiety is during pregnancy. I have been pregnant three times in total and have two healthy children but sadly my first pregnancy ended in miscarriage. The anxiety that you feel during this time can cloud your enjoyment. The stats of miscarriage are relatively higher in your first trimester but if you cannot shake your worry talk to someone. Anyone with or without a medical background can listen and allow you to vent your worries.

You are going through a massive hormone change, your body is doing spectacularly at creating life the only thing you may feel in control of is your thoughts so try to fill them with positive ideas rather than the what ifs.

Can a Baby Move Too Much in Stomach?

Never! A bouncing baby in the womb signals a happy and healthy one!

According to WebMD in the third trimester, babies are expected to move around 30 times per hour! Obviously, this is an average, many moms report that by the third trimester they understand their baby’s movement pattern.

Generally, the quieter you are the noisier they get so prepare yourself for their karate chops as you are trying to fall asleep. The surge in their activity during the night isn’t because they are night owls, it is their reaction to your blood sugar levels.

Consulting a Doctor

I cannot stress enough that if you feel anxious about anything, twitching, robust movements, lack of movements, or a simple change in the pattern you must seek advice.

You are the host of your unborn baby and nothing in text books or medical knowledge can replace your intuition.

A simple examination may be all you need to stir up a lazy baby or to rest your worries. We have clearly identified that twitching in the stomach during pregnancy are classified as normal but only you know your normal.

Wrapping Up

Movements of any kind during pregnancy are essential. They don’t always feel pleasant but they are a great indicator that your baby is growing and developing well.

Twitching in your stomach during pregnancy can be a range of things, from gas to muscle spasms they are all deemed typical for pregnancies.

Before considering the worst try and identify what starts the twitching, at a certain time of day. What food did you eat? Many things you do will prompt a reaction from your baby and no matter how strange these movements may be, be reassured at any movement is good.

Twitching in Stomach During Pregnancy – Why, & Should I Worry?