•
Quickening
is the moment most pregnant women
await eagerly. What you have seen
during your scan is visual, while
quickening offers you something more
tangible - your baby's first movement.
It makes your pregnancy a whole lot
more real! For the first time during
pregnancy you will feel your baby
move, and this usually happens around
weeks 18-20.
• Your baby has been moving
for a while now but you were not able
to realize it because it was too little
and immersed in large amounts of fluid.
You were also not able to feel the
movements because they were weak and
not penetrating through the wall of
the womb to reach your abdomen; once
your uterus has grown large enough
to touch the abdomen you will be able
to feel the sensations.
• Quickening has been compared
to the fluttering of a butterfly,
gas bubbles, wind and even hunger
pangs. If it is your first pregnancy
you will probably feel these movements
somewhere after 18 and even 20 weeks.
If you have had a baby before then
you would feel the sensation earlier,
around week 16. This is probably because
you know what to expect this time
round.
• As baby grows, these movements
grow in intensity too. You will start
to experience a whole range of movements
including kicks, twists, turns, stretches
and wriggles. These movements usually
start as early as the 8th week and
are important as they help in developing
baby's muscles. By the end of 16th
week the movement is more pronounced
as baby starts to kick, though you
may not be able to recognize it for
what it is.
• Some babies are more active
while others are quiet. Don't worry
if you have not felt any movement
by 20 weeks. In a couple more weeks
you should definitely be aware of
these delightful sensations. The wait
is definitely worth it.
