Fetal movement
![The human fetus moves throughout its entire development.](/Images/godic/202501/13/Views_of_a_Foetus_in_the_Womb_detail3752.jpg")
![An embryo of a gestational age of 9 weeks and 0 days. The head is directed to the right in the image. The heart is discerned in the center of the embryo. A hand is visible slightly above.](/Images/godic/202501/13/Movements_at_gestational_age_of_9_weeks3752.gif")
![Fetal movements at the end of first trimester (early fetal stage) detected by 3D ultrasound](/Images/godic/202501/13/-Fetal_movements_3D_Ultrasound_Dr._Wolfgang_Moroder.theora.ogv3752.jpg")
Fetal movement refers to motion of a fetus caused by its own muscle activity. Locomotor activity begins during the late embryological stage, and changes in nature throughout development. Muscles begin to move as soon as they are innervated. These first movements are not reflexive, but arise from self-generated nerve impulses originating in the spinal cord. As the nervous system matures, muscles can move in response to stimuli.