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Unusual Baby Movements

QUESTION

Dear Midwife,
I was wondering about weird movements. I have about 4 more weeks until my due date.

My baby always kicks just fine, but tonight I felt something weird. I don't think it was hiccups because he's gotten them before. It was a steady, slow, rhythmic movement. I could see my belly moving, but it wasn't sharp and fast like hiccups. I was almost like breathing, but, if I remember correctly, I don't think the baby can breathe yet. It didn't feel like kicking either because it was so soft and regular. I have no idea what else it could be and I'm not sure it's normal.

ANSWER

Could it have been the baby sucking its thumb? That often feels the way you are describing.

-- Cynthia, CNM. PhD.

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Cynthia Flynn

Cynthia Flynn, CNM. PhD, is the General Director of the Family Health and Birth Center which provides prenatal, birth, postnatal, gynecological and primary health care to underserved women and their families in Washington, D.C. Recently Cynthia served as Associate Professor of Nursing at Seattle University. There she not only taught, but remained in full scope clinical midwifery practice at Valley Medical Center where she cared for pregnant and birthing women, and practices well-woman gynecology, family planning, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.

Cynthia founded Columbia Women's Clinic and Birth Center, where she took care of pregnant women and infants up to two weeks of age and attended both birth center and hospital births. Before Cynthia earned her CNM, she worked as a registered nurse in labor and delivery and postpartum and is a certified Doula and Doula trainer.