In pregnancies after the first, quickening may occur earlier than in a first pregnancy. Which range would be plausible for this timing?

In pregnancies after the first, quickening may occur earlier than in a first pregnancy. Which range would be plausible for this timing?

• A. 14-16 weeks
• B. 18-20 weeks
• C. 22-24 weeks
• D. 26-28 weeks

Answer: (A)

Quickening is the mother’s first perception of fetal movement. In a first pregnancy, this usually occurs around 16 to 20 weeks. In subsequent pregnancies, mothers often recognize movement earlier because they’ve learned what to feel and the uterus may respond more noticeably to movement. So 14–16 weeks is a plausible timing for quickening after the first pregnancy. The later ranges (18–20 weeks, 22–24 weeks, 26–28 weeks) are more typical of a first pregnancy, so they’re less likely in a pregnancy after the first.

Quickening is the mother’s first perception of fetal movement. In a first pregnancy, this usually occurs around 16 to 20 weeks. In subsequent pregnancies, mothers often recognize movement earlier because they’ve learned what to feel and the uterus may respond more noticeably to movement. So 14–16 weeks is a plausible timing for quickening after the first pregnancy. The later ranges (18–20 weeks, 22–24 weeks, 26–28 weeks) are more typical of a first pregnancy, so they’re less likely in a pregnancy after the first.