In which week of pregnancy should a primigravida anticipate feeling quickening?

The anticipation of quickening, which refers to the first noticeable movements of the fetus felt by the mother, typically occurs around the 20th week of pregnancy for a primigravida (a woman who is pregnant for the first time). During this period, the fetus has grown sufficiently large and is active enough for the mother to discern its movements.

At 16 weeks, while some women may feel gentle movements, it is not consistently experienced, particularly for first-time mothers. By the 12th week, the fetus is still relatively small and movements are not yet strong enough to be perceived by the mother.

After the 20th week, quickening often becomes more pronounced, but the average timeframe for first-time mothers to note this experience commonly falls around the 20-week mark. Therefore, this timing is key in understanding fetal development and maternal perceptions of pregnancy.