Yes, you can feel a baby in your uterus. This sensation, known as quickening, is a significant milestone in pregnancy.
What is Quickening?
Quickening refers to the first time a pregnant person feels their baby move. This usually happens between 16 and 25 weeks of gestation, but the timing can vary depending on factors like body type and previous pregnancies. Initially, these movements might feel like flutters or bubbles. As the pregnancy progresses, the movements become stronger, more frequent, and easily recognizable as kicks and wiggles.
When Can You Expect to Feel Your Baby?
- First-time pregnancies: You might feel your baby move later, around 20 weeks, during a first pregnancy.
- Subsequent pregnancies: Expect to feel movements earlier, potentially as early as 16 weeks, in subsequent pregnancies, as you're more attuned to the subtle movements.
The feeling of fetal movement is typically intermittent. It's common to feel movement some days more than others. Don't be alarmed if you experience periods where you don't feel the baby move for a short time. Once quickening progresses, however, the movements usually become more regular and strong. As stated in our reference material, “Once quickening turns to strong kicks and wiggles, fetal movements will become more regular and consistent.”
Understanding Fetal Movement
It's important to note that fetal movement patterns vary. Regular monitoring of your baby's movements is crucial as pregnancy advances, particularly towards the end of the gestation period. Consult your healthcare provider if you have concerns about decreased or unusual fetal movement.
