Maternity in Brazil has undergone important changes in recent decades. An example of this is the increase in the number of women deciding to have children later. Data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) show that the proportion of mothers aged 40 or over who give birth has practically doubled in 20 years, going from 2.1% in 2003 to 4.3% in 2023. The average age at which women have children has also risen, going from 26.3 years in 2000 to 28.1 in 2022.

This postponement of pregnancy is usually accompanied by a greater level of planning and search for information throughout the pregnancy. In this context, understanding the baby’s development inside the womb, especially when movements begin and how the senses are formed, becomes a way of monitoring each stage of pregnancy more closely and strengthening the bond even before birth.

According to Nicole Ohira, an obstetrics doctor at AmorSaúde, a network of partner clinics of Cartão de Todos, pregnancy is marked by continuous transformations, many of them invisible, but fundamental for the baby development. “Still inside the uterus, the fetus begins to develop its senses progressively, creating the basis for interactions that will take place after birth,” he says. Understanding the milestones of pregnancy helps to make the pregnancy experience more conscious and strengthen the bond between mother and baby.

How baby’s senses develop

The senses do not all appear at the same time. Each stage of pregnancy brings important advances in the way the baby perceives the environment inside the uterus. “Touch is the first sense to develop, and hearing comes later”, highlights Nicole Ohira. According to her, key milestones include:

• Up to 12 weeks: the first responses to touch begin, especially in the mouth region;
• Between 16 and 20 weeks: touch becomes more developed and movements become more coordinated;
• Between 20 and 24 weeks: beginning of hearing, with perception of the internal sounds of the mother’s body;
• Between 24 and 28 weeks: the baby starts to react to external sounds, albeit in a more muffled way;
• Third trimester: the senses are more integrated, with more organized responses to stimuli such as sound, touch and even light.

When the baby starts to move and when the mother feels

Baby movements are one of the most anticipated milestones of pregnancy. However, they begin long before they are noticed by the mother. “The baby starts to move very early, around 7-8 weeks, but these movements are still very subtle and uncoordinated”, explains Nicole Ohira.

According to her, the perception of these movements varies according to each pregnancy, between 18 and 20 weeks, in first-time pregnant women, and between 16 and 18 weeks, in women who have already had children. Over time, these movements become more frequent, intense and noticeable.

Can the baby hear inside the belly?

Hearing is one of the senses that is still developing during pregnancy and plays an important role in the baby’s development. According to Nicole Ohira, the fetus can perceive different types of sounds, such as the mother’s heartbeat, the mother’s voice and external sounds, although in a more muffled way. She further explains that contact with sound stimuli “contributes to the development of the nervous system and can promote the recognition of the mother’s voice after birth”.

Stimuli that can promote development baby’s

Some simple habits can contribute to the healthy development of the baby and strengthen the bond during pregnancy. Among them, Nicole Ohira highlights:

1. Talk to the baby regularly: this frequent contact can help with the development of hearing and strengthen the emotional bond even before birth;
2. Aim for a less stressful pregnancy: High levels of stress can impact the pregnant woman’s body and, consequently, the intrauterine environment. Creating moments of rest, leisure and well-being contributes to a more balanced pregnancy;
3. Maintain a balanced diet: a varied diet rich in nutrients is essential for the baby’s proper development, as well as helping to prevent complications during pregnancy;
4. Taking care of your sleep quality: adequate rest favors hormonal regulation and pregnant woman’s well-beingimportant factors for the healthy development of the fetus;
5. Carry out prenatal care appropriately: Regular medical monitoring allows you to monitor the progress of the pregnancy, identify possible changes early and guide the mother at each stage.

When it is important to pay attention to movements

Observing the baby’s movements is an important way of monitoring their well-being, especially in the more advanced stages of pregnancy. “The baby should move every day, especially in the third trimester”, advises Nicole Ohira.

According to the specialist, a practical way of monitoring is to observe whether the baby performs around 10 movements within two hours. If there is any doubt or noticeable reduction, the recommendation is to seek medical evaluation.

Throughout pregnancy, each baby’s movement and response reflects important stages in its development. Understanding these signs helps make this period safer and more meaningful for the mother.

By Nayara Campos