Yup, your baby on board can feel — and respond — when you stroke your tummy.
The more your partner touches your tummy during pregnancy, the more familiar that touch becomes. This increases the bond for the whole family. This is especially true when touch is combined with sound. Your little one can hear the sound by 16 weeks.
The unborn child reacts strongly to his mother's movements as well. Most moms notice that when they touch their belly, the baby kicks back or responds in some way, says Als. “If it's a firm touch, they may move away and stick out their arm,” as if to ward you off.
Background. Many physicians advise pregnant women to sleep on their left side. Previous studies have linked back and right-side sleeping with a higher risk of stillbirth, reduced fetal growth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia, a life-threatening high blood pressure disorder that affects the mother.
Depending on your stage of pregnancy, your body type, and even the time of day, sometimes your belly will feel soft and other times it will feel tight and hard. The reality is, there's no normal to compare yourself with. Pregnant bellies come in all shapes, sizes, and firmness.
Your baby's developing sense of touch
But this isn't the case for his sense of touch — a fetus can't feel anything in the outside world before birth!
Just like newborns, fetuses spend most of their time sleeping. Indeed, throughout much of the pregnancy, your baby sleeps 90 to 95% of the day. Some of these hours are spent in deep sleep, some in REM sleep, and some in an indeterminate state—a result of their immature brain.
Here's the funny thing about babies in the womb: They like to move when their moms are lying down. That's because when you're up and around all day, your baby-to-be is likely lulled to sleep by the movement. You're also less likely to notice her kicks and jabs when you're busy and preoccupied.
For some moms-to-be, constantly touching, patting, rubbing and holding their belly can be soothing. For others, it's a way to feel close to the baby inside. But no matter the reason, rubbing your belly simply makes you feel good.
While in your womb, your baby will hear and feel the vibrations of your voice every time you speak to anyone. They will have learnt to recognise and be comforted by your voice by the time they're born, even if you don't speak to them directly4.
Baby may start to know when their father is touching mom's belly. Babies can sense touch from anyone, but they can also sense when touch (and voice) is familiar. And by 24 weeks into pregnancy, dad can usually feel baby kick – but the exact time varies.
Can I squish my baby while sitting and leaning forward? Just like bending, it's ok to lean forward when you're pregnant. Your baby is safe and protected by the fluid inside your womb. As previously mentioned, though, good posture will help you avoid any harm and unnecessary pain while you're pregnant.
“Straining won't harm the baby, but it can lead to hemorrhoids and anal fissures which can be very painful and uncomfortable for mom,” says Dr. Hamilton.
Babies can't cry out loud of course until they're born. In the womb, babies are totally immersed in amniotic fluid, so there is no air in the lungs and air is needed to produce sounds. Once they are born they can fully expand their lungs, taking in air and letting out those first few wonderful cries.
The baby is well-protected in the uterus, and even a hard sneeze will not affect the baby.
Play music to your baby. Music that mimics a heartbeat of around 60 beats per minute, such as lullabies, is useful. You can also search online for relaxing or calming music. Give yourself time to reflect, go for a walk or have a warm bath and think about the baby.
Babies in the womb respond to external stimuli, especially when it comes from the mother. They simply love this interaction which is why you and your spouse might often find your baby in a playful mood when you play the touch-and-feel game together.
Wondering how fast the food you eat reaches your baby? It depends on how quickly the food is digested and enters your bloodstream. Some foods may take several hours, while substances like caffeine can enter your bloodstream and cross the placenta in a very short time.
When do you lose your mucus plug? Most people don't lose their mucus plug until after 37 weeks of pregnancy. In some cases, losing the mucus plug happens days or weeks before your baby's due date. Some people don't lose it until they're in labor.
Symptoms not to ignore when you're 36 weeks pregnant
You have a persistent headache or visual disturbance. If your feet/ankles/hands or face are unusually swollen. You experience vaginal bleeding. You have an unusual coloured discharge.
Braxton Hicks contractions are sporadic contractions and relaxation of the uterine muscle. Sometimes, they are referred to as prodromal or “false labor" pains. It is believed they start around 6 weeks gestation but usually are not felt until the second or third trimester of the pregnancy.