Quickening

According to Wikipedia, quickening refers to the initial motion of the fetus in the uterus as it is perceived or felt by the pregnant woman. The first natural sensation of quickening may feel like a light tapping, or the fluttering of a butterfly. These sensations eventually become stronger and more regular as the pregnancy progresses. Sometimes, the first movements are misattributed to gas or hunger pangs. A woman pregnant for the first time typically feels fetal movements at about 20-21 weeks.

I recognized what I thought might be baby movement for the first time on Sunday afternoon at 19 weeks and 6 days. It wasn't a flutter or light tapping, or bubbles, tickling or anything else gentle like I had read about. It was a full out kick on a full bladder. I definitely noticed it. But there was only one solid hit, so I couldn't convince myself it was movement from the baby since I expected there to be a series of movements.

I went to work early on Thursday morning and so treated myself to some ice coffee at Dunkin' Donuts on the ride in for my 7 am start. I asked for decaf iced coffee, but by the time I got most of the way through my coffee, it became clear I got regular coffee. I had given up caffeinated drinks for pregnancy, so it's been a while since I had a drink with caffeine in it. And even when I was drinking caffeinated beverages, one a day was about my limit.

So not only was I jittery, but apparently the baby was jittery too! I was trying to do a presentation and a hands on learning demonstration all the while I could feel the baby thumping away low in my abdomen. And after taking a nap just before lunch, I had an hour or more of movement after lunch time too. I felt a little more motion about the time I was winding down to go to bed last night also.

Other than a stray bump or thump here and there, I haven't felt much today.

I won't be getting anything from Dunkin' Donuts for the rest of the pregnancy.