Echoes of Pregnancy - Maternal Perception of Phantom Fetal Movements After Childbirth

Sep 29, 2026

Phantom fetal movements (PFMs) describe fetal-like abdominal sensations perceived after pregnancy. Although common, PFMs are insufficiently studied and their mechanisms remain poorly understood. This observational online study examined PFMs’ prevalence, characteristics, and associated factors among women with a history of childbirth in France, assessing frequency, duration, and emotional experiences after delivery. Results included 4038 women and 6139 pregnancies.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

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BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology RESEARCH ARTICLE OPEN ACCESS Echoes of Pregnancy: Maternal Perception of Phantom Fetal Movements After Childbirth Hugo Bottemanne1,2,3 | Léa Dobler1,2,3 | Gaspard Martet3,4 | François-Xavier Lejeune3,4 | Baptiste Crinière-Boizet3,4 | Romain Colle1,2 | Philippe Fossati3 | Emmanuelle Corruble1,2 | Lucie Joly3,5 1Department of Psychiatry, Bicêtre Hospital, Mood Center Paris Saclay, DMU Neurosciences, Paris-Saclay University, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), kremlin-Bicêtre, France | 2MOODS Team, INSERM 1018, CESP (Centre de Recherche en Epidémiologie et Santé Des Populations), Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Médecine Paris-Saclay, Kremlin Bicêtre, France | 3Paris Brain Institute-Institut du Cerveau, INSERM, Sorbonne University, Paris, France | 4Paris Brain Institute, Data Analysis Core (DAC), Paris, France | 5Department of Psychiatry, Saint-Antoine Hospital, DMU Neurosciences, Sorbonne University, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France Correspondence: Hugo Bottemanne ([hugo.bottemanne@aphp.fr](hugo.bottemanne@aphp.fr)) Received: 26 March 2025 | Revised: 24 June 2025 | Accepted: 4 July 2025 Funding: The authors received no specific funding for this work. Keywords: fetal movement | interoception | phantom fetal movement | phantom kick | phantom perception | pregnancy ABSTRACT Objective: Phantom fetal movements (PFMs) refer to the perception of fetal-like abdominal sensations following pregnancy. Despite their prevalence, PFMs remain insufficiently studied, and their underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. This study aimed to examine the prevalence, characteristics and associated factors of PFMs in the general population. Design: Observational online study. Setting: General population in France. Population: Women with a history of childbirth. Methods: Study data were collected via a secure online REDCap survey, comprising closed-ended questions on sociodemographics, lifetime obstetrical history, detailed pregnancy experiences, fetal movement perception and postnatal PFMs. Main Outcome Measures: The main outcome measures were frequency, duration and subjective emotional experiences of PFMs. Additional variables included demographic characteristics, obstetric history and the characteristics of fetal movement perception during pregnancy. Results: A total of 4038 women and 6139 pregnancies were included. PFMs were reported by 40.5% of participants, occurring mainly during the 6 months after childbirth. Younger maternal age, number of pregnancies, caesarean delivery and post-partum complications were significantly associated with PFMs. Moreover, earlier fetal movements during pregnancy were linked to more frequent perceptions of PFM. Higher intensity and frequency of fetal movements during pregnancy were correlated with increased intensity and frequency of PFMs. Emotional responses to PFMs showed increased negative affect, with 19.8% describing them as uncomfortable. PFM occurrence was significantly associated with specific emotional responses to fetal movements during pregnancy. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for further research to explore the physiological underpinnings and potential clinical significance of PFMs. In addition, increased awareness among healthcare professionals is crucial for providing better support to affected women. | Linked article: This article is commented on by Drife, pp. 420–421 in this issue. To view this article visit [https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.70022](https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.70022) . | | --- | | This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.
© 2025 The Author(s). BJOG: An International Journal of Obs

FAQs

What are phantom fetal movements (PFMs)?

PFMs are perceived fetal-like abdominal sensations after childbirth, occurring despite the absence of a fetus.

How was the study conducted and what did it measure?

An observational online study used a secure REDCap survey, measuring PFMs’ frequency and duration and women’s subjective emotional experiences, alongside demographic and obstetric factors.

Which factors were associated with PFMs and how did emotions change?

PFMs were reported by 40.5% of participants, mainly within six months postpartum, and were linked to younger maternal age, higher pregnancy count, caesarean delivery, postpartum complications, and earlier/intense fetal movement perception during pregnancy; emotions showed higher negative affect, with 19.8% describing PFMs as uncomfortable.

Sep 29, 2026

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