BookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxFilledCheckBoxCircleBumpCheckedFilledMedical

This Is How Hard Your Baby Is Kicking, According to Science

It's not you; babies are really strong.
save article
profile picture of Anisa Arsenault
By Anisa Arsenault, Associate Editor
Updated April 11, 2023
overhead view of pregnant woman sitting on bed holding belly
Image: Basilico Studio Stock/Shutterstock

It’s impossible to describe the sensation of baby kicking to someone who has never been pregnant. But research out of the Imperial College London will at least allow you to explain just how strong those kicks are.

The study, published in the Journal of the Royal Society, was the first to quantify baby kicks in utero. By using a combination of MRI scans and computer models, it determined that the force of fetal kicks increases between 20 and 30 weeks, starting at 6.5 pounds of force and escalating to 10.5 pounds of force.

Researchers also found that skeletal stress caused by this force helps with bone and joint formation. So, like you probably already knew, those swift kicks are a sign of a growing, healthy baby.

Don’t panic if you notice weaker kicks after that 30-week mark. At this point, researchers found kicks are reduced to about 3.8 pounds of force as baby begins to run out of room to move around. From 28 weeks on, doctors suggest doing kick counts to keep tabs on baby’s normal activity. If you notice a major change in frequency, contact your OB.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

save article
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

close up of pregnant woman holding ultrasound picture
What to Know About Fetal Development in the Third Trimester
By Nehal Aggarwal
close up of woman's pregnant belly in the sunlight at home
Is It Safe to Smoke Marijuana While Pregnant?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
pregnant woman eating a salad at home
Dad’s Genes Are the Reason for Unborn Baby’s Insatiable Appetite
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
pregnant woman looking at pregnancy trimester calendar
Stages of Pregnancy: When Does Each Trimester Start and End?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
pregnant woman looking at ultrasound photo of baby
Watch How Your Organs Make Room for Baby
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
family about to pop their gender reveal balloon
It’s Not 50-50: Why Your Chances of Having a Boy Are Slightly Higher
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
close up of pregnant woman wearing a floral dress outside in the summertime
How Super Antibodies From Mom Protect Baby and May Help Treat Disease
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
close up of pregnant woman talking to her doctor about ultrasound results
What to Know About Congenital Heart Disease in Babies
By Elizabeth Narins
Cannabis Use During Pregnancy May Affect Child Development, Study Says
Cannabis Use During Pregnancy May Affect Child Development, Study Says
By Nehal Aggarwal
mother in hospital after just giving birth newborn
What Does the Placenta Do?
By Korin Miller
ADVERTISEMENT
backpack spilling open with supplies
5 Ways to Make Baby Smarter Before Birth
By Celia Shatzman
pregnant woman looking at her sonogram
This Common Pregnancy Condition Could Up Baby’s Risk of Autism or ADHD
By Ashley Edwards Walker
sonogram machine at doctor's office
Mom-to-Be’s Hilarious ‘Demon’ Baby Sonogram Goes Viral
By Laurie Ulster
ADVERTISEMENT
smiling pregnant woman in urban setting
This Is How Mom’s and Baby’s Cells Communicate During Pregnancy
By Stephanie Grassullo
pregnant woman holding her sonogram
Study: Industrial Chemicals Pass From Mother to Fetus Throughout Pregnancy
By Stephanie Grassullo
pregnant woman in floral dress touching her belly
Why Your Baby Is Really Kicking in the Womb, According to New Research
By Stephanie Grassullo
fruits and veggies representing different weeks of pregnancy
How Big Is Baby: Fruit & Veggie Edition
By Darcy Strobel
ADVERTISEMENT
woman holding photo of ultrasound while sitting on couch at home
Research Shows Why Babies Need to Move in the Womb
By Anisa Arsenault
underwater bubble formations
What Is the Amniotic Sac?
By Erin Walters
daughter playing doctor with her pregnant mom
How Baby’s Skin, Hair and Nails Develop in Utero
By Rachel Morris
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.