New Delhi: Those tiny kicks during pregnancy may be far more meaningful than many parents realise. According to UK-based surgeon and health educator Dr Karan Rajan, babies begin developing and rehearsing essential motor skills long before birth including movements that resemble walking.
In a recent social media video, Dr Rajan explained that foetal movements are not random flutters but part of a structured developmental process. Babies start moving as early as seven to eight weeks into pregnancy, though most mothers begin to feel those movements between 16 and 25 weeks. Each kick, he says, helps strengthen muscles and build proprioception the body’s ability to sense its position in space a critical foundation for coordination after birth.
By the third trimester, foetuses can move up to 200 times a day. These movements include practising breathing motions, sucking, grasping and coordinated limb activity. Around the 22-week mark, babies even begin making stepping-like motions inside the womb. These cyclic, alternating leg movements help establish the motor neuron pathways that will later support walking.
Dr Rajan also noted that babies respond to environmental stimuli while still in the uterus. Loud sounds can trigger startle responses by 23 weeks, and they may react to their mother’s voice or even gentle pokes on the belly. “They’re not just moving randomly,” he said, emphasising that these actions reflect learning and adaptation.
Importantly, he stressed the value of tracking movement patterns. While intensity may vary from baby to baby, a sudden decrease in usual activity can indicate potential concerns and should prompt medical consultation.
Experts underline that consistent movement is generally a reassuring sign of foetal wellbeing, though parents should always seek professional advice if unsure.
