Pregnancy is an time when your body changes dramatically. The baby growing inside of your womb is making your body do all sorts of interesting things, from morning sickness to back pain to swollen breasts. Every new experience that brings you closer and closer to the birth of your baby is a milestone that you will remember for a long time. Your baby’s first movements, especially, are a time of great joy. Often, these movements feel like a constant light “tapping” feeling on the inside of your womb. These first movements are known as “quickening.”

Quicken does not always feel like a light tappeng, however. Some moms-to-be describe quickening as a bubbly feeling. Others say that it feels like butterflies. Some compare quickening to gas! Some moms-to-be describe it as more of a tickle, and quickening will cause them to burst out in laughter.

Quickening begins, typically, between 18 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. Moms who are having a second or subsequent baby often feel quickening sooner. This is thought to be because you know what it will feel like already, and you’re expecting it. Other theories suggest that your uterus is more stretched out and therefore more sensitive to these movements.
A variety of things can delay quickening. Many of these are normal, and not a cause for concern. They can include the weight of the baby, the position of the baby, and the location of the placenta. Also, Your build and size may affect your ability to feel your baby’s movements. When you have a fine layer of fat over your belly, the nerves in your skin are closer to your baby. If that layer is thicker, this may cause a delay in the sensation of movements.
A few weeks after quickening, the next big baby movement milestone will set in. After a couple of weeks of infrequent and sporadic movement, the sensations should become stronger and resemble definite kicks and movements. Soon, usually after the 28th week of pregnancy, your baby will kick enough that others can even feel the baby move. These are special moments that many moms-to-be share with their husbands and/or their other children.

As your pregnancy progresses, these movements can become uncomfortable or painful. Babies kick around at all of mom’s internal organs, and sometimes spin around all night long. Helping the baby shift position by doing pelvic tilts may help reduce the discomfort that accompanies this later movement.

If the light tapping inside your womb doesn’t stop for days at a time, or is accompanied by pain or other symptoms, you should speak with your health care provider.

Posted in Pregnancy

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