What is quickening in pregnancy?

Prepare for the NCLEX exam effectively with our NCLEX Uworld Practice Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with detailed hints and explanations to ensure you're ready for success!

Multiple Choice

What is quickening in pregnancy?

Explanation:
Quickening is the mother’s first awareness of fetal movement. It’s a subjective sensation she feels in the abdomen, often described as fluttering or popping sensations as the fetus becomes active. This typically occurs mid-pregnancy—around 16 to 20 weeks in a first pregnancy, and a bit earlier in subsequent pregnancies. It’s not the onset of labor, not the fetal heartbeat, and not uterine contractions. Quickening helps confirm fetal activity and ongoing pregnancy; if movement isn’t felt by late mid-pregnancy, further assessment of fetal well-being may be indicated.

Quickening is the mother’s first awareness of fetal movement. It’s a subjective sensation she feels in the abdomen, often described as fluttering or popping sensations as the fetus becomes active. This typically occurs mid-pregnancy—around 16 to 20 weeks in a first pregnancy, and a bit earlier in subsequent pregnancies. It’s not the onset of labor, not the fetal heartbeat, and not uterine contractions. Quickening helps confirm fetal activity and ongoing pregnancy; if movement isn’t felt by late mid-pregnancy, further assessment of fetal well-being may be indicated.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy