<P> 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 . </P> <P> Generally speaking, fetal motility can be classified as either elicited or spontaneous, and spontaneous movements may be triggered by either the spine or the brain . Whether a movement is supraspinally determined can be inferred by comparison to movements of an anencephalic fetus . </P>

Where does the impulse to move first take place