Baby Kicks

Question

I'm eight months pregnant with what I think will be a quarterback! Sometimes my baby kicks me so hard it takes my breath away. Once I even felt sore the next morning from a kick. Could my baby actually cause me internal injury from kicking?

Answer

Patients are always concerned about their baby's movement patterns. I have had patients tell me that the baby is moving "too much." Actually, this is a good thing! Happy babies inside the womb love to move (that's when they aren't napping, which usually lasts up to 45 minutes at a time).

Some women are more sensitive to movement than others and this movement can cause discomfort in the mother. Fortunately, fetal movement can't cause damage to your internal organs or ribs -- it just feels that way!

The information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's condition.