The placenta develops wherever the fertilised egg embeds into your uterus. An anterior placenta is when your placenta is attached to the front wall of the uterus and is a completely normal place for it to implant and develop.

Having an anterior placenta can make baby movements harder to feel initially as they are “cushioned” – it is therefore likely that someone with a placenta in this position will feel first movements later than those with a placenta elsewhere. Most women will first feel their baby anywhere between 16 and 24 weeks, anyone who reaches 24 weeks and hasn't felt first movements should check in with their midwife.

If you have a placenta in this position, try and focus on your sides and low down, as this is where you are more likely to feel movement. Although feeling movement is often trickier to start with for anterior placenta mums, the same advice for establishing what is normal for your baby individually applies, baby should still develop regularity with the movement that you feel.

Having an anterior placenta is never a reason to dismiss reduced movements, so always call your midwife or maternity unit if you have any worries.