As promised, here are your top five pregnancy milestones:
5. First time dad feels a kick
How many times have you felt the baby move from the outside, placed the dad-to-be’s hand on the spot, only to have the baby stop moving? The first time he finally does feel the baby’s kicks, it’s a big deal! Something about feeling a baby’s movements makes everything seem so much more real. For some guys, this will be the first time he really connects with his child.
4. First heartbeat
Raise your hand if you cried the first time you heard your baby’s heartbeat on the Doppler or ultrasound. I know I did! I really surprised myself because I did not anticipate having such a strong emotional reaction, but it was one of the most moving moments of my life.
3. First ultrasound
For me, this milestone happened at the same time as the heartbeat, because my doctor couldn’t find the heartbeat with the Doppler. Seeing your child wiggle around, watching their heart beat even though they are not even a centimeter long yet: it is awe inspiring.
2. First kicks
Mother and baby really begin to bond when the baby makes his or her presence known in a way that no one else is aware. From that point on, a pregnant woman’s mind is always on her child. The baby seems to react to everything she eats, wakes her up at night, interrupts her conversations and always finds the most painful spot to jab. Sometimes the baby seems to move in a way that almost feels… affectionate and sweet. The first flutter, though, is just a tiny, innocent movement that may have the mom-to-be questioning, “Did I really just feel what I thought I felt?”
1. Finding out you’re pregnant
Of course this had to be number one! I love hearing about different women’s reactions to finding out they are pregnant. Some cry tears of joy, some jump up and down and some scream. Some begin secretly planning elaborate and creative ways to share the news. The most exciting milestone of pregnancy is definitely the very beginning.