What to Know About Phantom Kicks

It’s possible to feel fluttering sensations in the belly after you give birth or a pregnancy loss, known as phantom kicks. “Occurring days, months or even years after pregnancy, phantom kicks are the continued perception of fetal movement,” explained Sarah Jordan, M.D., a board-certified OBGYN and medical director at OB Hospitalists of Texas, part of Pediatrix® Medical Group. There are several theories as to what causes phantom kicks, noted Dr. Jordan. “One theory is that, as the uterus grows during pregnancy, nerve receptors grow as well, leading to the sensation of phantom kicks after delivery,” she explained. “It also may be a part of the normal postpartum recovery process, as the body remodels muscle and connective tissue after delivery.”

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