1. Touch: From 8-12 Weeks

• The first sense to develop in a baby is touch, through touching or rubbing Mum’s belly gently.  

• Babies can feel and respond to their father’s touch and voice from 18 – 22weeks.  They often respond to their father’s stimuli by becoming more active or go quiet/still to listen to their father – so please communicate with your baby/s right from the utero.

•  Babies normally respond by moving their arms, head, and mouth when Mum’s belly is stroked.   

• They respond to any pressure applied to mum’s belly that causes them to move. This is valuable at all times of pregnancy, even more so if you are worried about your baby’s movements whilst in the uterus.   

• If after gentle pressure: touch, rubbing, rocking or moving the belly from side-to-side, you are still worried about your baby’s movements – call or go to the maternity unit immediately for urgent attention.