Hey there, I am almost 23 weeks now and I first felt the baby move the day before I turned 18 weeks. The cramping/stretching feeling is most likely the ligaments around your uterus stretching - this is very common. For me, feeling the baby move was *almost* like gas bubbles, but it was different enough that I knew it was the baby. It's just a slight fluttering feeling that almost feels the same as having a muscle twitch (that's how I felt, anyways). After you know what it feels like, you'll notice it more and more each day... it's the most awesome feeling in the world!

your size has nothing to do with not being able to feel the baby. Yes its normal for 1st time pregnancy not to feel much at this point and no it doesnt feel like cramps ..so thats not what your feeling. the cramps are simply because your uterus is growing and pulling ..you'll start feeling your baby within the next few weeks..congrats!

thank you for your posts:)

Until 21 weeks you shouldnt be concerned if you havent felt fetal movement. I felt my baby move for the first time around 14 weeks. It felt like a flutter in my lower stomach. But it was few and far between. Now I feel her move all the time (Im 21 weeks on Sunday) and its gone from a flutter heartbeaty feeling to a thud..Like someone is doing it me fron the inside of my stomach..Not painful but that bump bump sensation.. haha hard to explain. Try laying flat on your back and holding very still..Thats I felt her for the first time.

i'm 19 weeks now and and i didn't feel any movement untill 17 1/2 weeks.. i still don't feel much just a little poke here and there!