If this is your first pregnancy, you're likely to notice your baby's movements for the first time between 18 weeks and 20 weeks. 

The first fluttering that you feel in your tummy is called quickening. These first movements can feel like gas, so you might not realise they are your baby's movements at first. When you do feel these sensations inside you, and realise it is your baby making them, it's incredibly exciting. 

Many mums-to-be feel movement sooner in their second pregnancy. If you've had a baby before, you've already experienced the strange and wonderful sensation of another life moving inside you, so you know what to look out for. This means that you'll probably be able to identify baby kicks earlier than first-time mums can. If you are a second time mum, you may start to notice your baby moving at between 16 weeks and 18 weeks. 

Try not to worry if you don't feel your second baby move earlier than you did the first time around, as it does vary from woman to woman. Whether or not you've had a baby before, it can be easy to miss the subtle feelings of early movements if you're very active. 

If you haven't felt any movements by 24 weeks, you should see your doctor so she can make sure everything's OK with your baby. 

Once you do start to feel movement, it will get stronger as your pregnancy progresses. Eventually, you'll be able to feel real kicks! By about 26 weeks you may also feel your baby hiccup, which will feel like a distinctive series of little jerky movements. 

You won't be aware of all your baby's little squirms and squiggles, though. You're likely to feel most movements that last longer than a few seconds, but some will be too quick for you to notice. Besides, your baby won't be on the move all the time, and there will be times when he just wants to rest and sleep. 

Once you've got used to your baby's patterns of movements, keep an eye on them. After about 32 weeks, your baby will have less space to move around, so you may notice his movements becoming less vigorous. But tell your doctor straight away if you notice a change in your baby's daily movements.