At approximately how many weeks of gestation will a nulliparous woman first feel fetal movements?

A nulliparous woman, who has never been pregnant before, typically begins to feel fetal movements, known as "quickening," around 18 weeks of gestation. This experience can vary among individuals; however, 18 weeks is considered an average timeframe when a first-time mother may begin to recognize these movements.

At this stage, the fetus has developed enough to exhibit noticeable movements, although some women might feel them a little earlier or later depending on various factors, including body awareness and the position of the placenta. It is important to note that while some sources might indicate that movements can be felt as early as 16 weeks, 18 weeks represents a more commonly accepted point for nulliparous women to feel these movements consistently.

Options identifying gestational weeks earlier than 18 may reflect an understanding more aligned with multiparous women, who might recognize movements sooner due to previous experience. Similarly, the later choices of 20 and 22 weeks stretch beyond the average onset for first-time mothers and do not align with the general timeline expected for the initiation of fetal movement sensations.