When can a nulliparous woman expect to feel fetal movements for the first time?

• A. 10 weeks
• B. 14 weeks
• C. 18 weeks
• D. 20 weeks

Answer: (C)

A nulliparous woman, meaning she has not previously given birth, typically begins to feel fetal movements—commonly referred to as "quickening"—around 18 weeks of gestation. This timing can vary from woman to woman, but 18 weeks is widely regarded as the average for first-time mothers.

Prior to this point, the fetus is still small and movements may not generate sensations that the mother can perceive. At around the 14-week mark, some women may experience vague sensations, but they are not typically described as distinct fetal movements. By 20 weeks, many women are definitely feeling movement, but for first-time expectant mothers, 18 weeks is usually when they first notice these movements clearly. This timing aligns with developmental milestones of the fetus, which becomes more active and better able to produce noticeable movements at that stage.