Which sign of pregnancy is associated with fetal movement felt by the mother?

Quickening refers to the sensation of fetal movement that the mother first feels during pregnancy. This phenomenon typically occurs between 18 to 20 weeks of gestation for first-time mothers, while those who have given birth before might notice this earlier. Feeling the fetus's movements is an exciting moment for many expectant mothers and is often described as gentle flutters. This sign is an important indicator of fetal well-being and development.

In contrast, ballottement is a palpation technique used by a healthcare provider to detect the presence of the fetus during a physical examination and usually does not involve the mother feeling the movement herself. Chadwick's sign refers to the bluish discoloration of the cervix and vaginal walls due to increased blood flow, which occurs early in pregnancy and signifies changes in vascularity but does not indicate fetal movement. Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular and often considered "practice" contractions that do not directly relate to the mother's sensation of fetal movements, but rather to the uterus preparing for labor.

Thus, quickening is distinctly characterized by the maternal perception of movement, making it the accurate sign of pregnancy related to fetal activity.