Week 18: Did you feel that?

Do you feel a flutter in your tummy? It’s the first time you can feel your unborn baby moving and turning inside you.

This exciting event, called quickening, may occur between 16 to 22 weeks of pregnancy, but women who’ve already had children tend to feel movement sooner than new moms-to-be.

While these faint flutters or ripples in your lower abdomen start out soft and infrequent, your unborn baby’s activity will increase as your pregnancy continues. Soon there won’t be any question about when you feel her moving!

Tell your doctor or midwife when quickening occurs, as this is an important milestone in your pregnancy.

What is high-risk pregnancy?

A few surprises along the way are normal for every pregnancy. What’s not normal is when surprises put the health of the baby and mother at risk. Several factors can make a pregnancy more complicated for the mom and her baby. Learn when a pregnancy is considered high-risk. If you are expecting multiples, learn about some specific complications to be aware of.

Screening for sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder. Learn about its cause, treatment and how it can affect your pregnancy and baby.