Feeling very protective of her
As the pregnancy progresses you may experience feelings of excitement mixed with many other emotions. Most partners find it difficult to 'connect with' or even believe the reality of their baby growing inside the woman's belly until they feel them move or see the baby during an
ultrasound. It is easier for the woman to be more in touch with her baby because he or she is inside her body, but it can be difficult being the partner, as a 'sideline spectator'. As one father shared, "I found it really hard to believe there was a baby until she kicked me in the back one night. At that moment it became more real for me and I started to feel really excited.'
The woman will feel her baby move first (usually between 18 to 22 weeks) but most partners are not able to sense this through her belly until 2 to 4 weeks later (bearing in mind this is a general guide, the timing can vary). The movements generally begin as infrequent and faint sensations. But as your baby continues to grow and become stronger, they develop into more regular 'jabs' or 'kicks' (especially in your back while sleeping!)
Babies at this stage of the pregnancy have plenty of room to move and are like buoyant, astronauts floating in a sea of amniotic fluid. This allows your baby to roll and somersault vigorously, helping them to strengthen and exercise their body while in the womb. It is amazing and exciting to watch your partner's belly move gracefully in one movement (like a wave) and then see sudden sections of her belly protruding out with a kick or an elbow. Thoughts of your baby playing football or soccer as a child are often humorous comments made by parents when their baby is very active!
There may be moments of concern if your baby does not move for a while, or that each time you place your hand on your partner's belly, your baby stops moving. This happens often and we don't really know why this is the case.