What is quickening in pregnancy and when does it typically occur?

Quickening refers specifically to the first noticeable movements of the fetus that the mother perceives during pregnancy. This typically occurs around 20 weeks of gestation. While the movements may start earlier in the pregnancy, they are often not strong enough for the mother to feel until the 20-week mark.

The first fetal heartbeat is usually detected via ultrasound around 6 to 7 weeks, and while pregnant individuals may sense fetal movements as early as 15 weeks, this is generally not considered the point of quickening. The confusion often arises because the first movements felt can vary greatly depending on factors such as the mother’s experience with prior pregnancies and the position of the placenta.

In this context, while options referring to the first heartbeat or ultrasound confirmation are crucial milestones in pregnancy, they do not accurately define quickening, which is distinctly about the mother feeling the first movements of her baby.