The Not So Quick(ening)

Since I found out I was pregnant, I have been awaiting “The Quickening”, the monumental moment when one feels the baby inside. I expected an actual moment to savor – an instant when I knew for sure that the baby was moving and I would remember it for ever and ever.

In my experience, The Quickening does not happen that way. For the past few weeks it’s been more of a swooshing in my belly for brief periods; nothing that I would describe as a “flutter” or “popcorn popping”. These moments initially made me wonder, “hey, is that the baby?” They did get a little more recognizable and more frequent as time went on but the sense of movement was so soft and minor that how could I be sure I’m not just crazy in the head? I was mildly disappointed for the past couple of days that I missed my one moment in time.

However, the night before last, I awoke in the middle of the night and in a groggy-half-awake way acknowledged that the movement was stronger and there might have been additional sensations as well. I went back to sleep encouraged. Last night after feasting on chicken wings, I rested on the couch and fell into giggles. Something was tickling my insides. It was only three or four pokes in quick succession but it was undoubtedly Baby.

I’m looking forward to more pokes and maybe in a couple weeks The Husband can share in the fun.