Quickening
Quickening is a term used to describe the moment in pregnancy when the pregnant woman starts to feel or perceive fetal movements in the uterus.[1]
History[edit | edit source]
The term is derived from the Latin word quicken, which means "to animate or excite". In the past, quickening was often taken as the beginning of life in the fetus.[2]
Medical aspects[edit | edit source]
Quickening is usually felt by the mother between the 18th and 20th week of pregnancy, but it can occur as early as the 13th week in some cases.[3] The sensation is often described as feeling like popcorn popping, a goldfish swimming around, or butterflies.
Legal aspects[edit | edit source]
Historically, quickening was sometimes used to define the point at which the fetus became a life for legal purposes. For example, English common law did not consider a fetus to have rights until the mother had felt quickening.[4]
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
