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When will my partner feel the baby kick?

couple cuddling on the couch
Photo credit: Katie Rain for BabyCenter

Most women can first share their baby's movements with their partner between weeks 20 and 24 of pregnancy, which is partway through the second trimester. You'll probably begin to feel your baby move yourself between 16 and 22 weeks.

Have your partner put their hand on your belly when your baby is being especially active. If you're lucky, your partner will be able to feel your baby kicking.

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If your partner can't feel anything yet, wait a few weeks. It can take longer to feel your baby's movements from the outside, especially for women who are plus-size or have an anterior placenta (placenta on the front of the uterus) that cushions the kicking.

That said, each pregnancy is unique, and in some cases your partner may feel your baby kick before week 20. Depending on the thickness of your abdominal wall and the activity level of your baby, they may be able to feel movements any time after you do.

Eventually you and your partner will be able to easily see your baby move from the outside. As your little one grows and starts making big, full-body movements, your belly will undulate as your baby kicks, jabs, somersaults, and stretches. It's quite a show, so you may want to take a video!

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Sources

BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.

AAFP. 2021. Your baby's development: The second trimester. American Academy of Family Physicians. https://familydoctor.org/your-babys-development-the-second-trimester/Opens a new window [Accessed August 2021]

Mayo Clinic. 2020. Fetal development: The 2nd trimester. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/fetal-development/art-20046151Opens a new window [Accessed August 2021]

Marcella Gates

Marcella Gates is Director of Content Operations at BabyCenter, the world's number one digital parenting resource, and is an expert on pregnancy and parenting. As a mom of three, she loves that her professional life is focused on supporting and empowering parents and expecting parents. Gates lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.

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