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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.