Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

At approximately how many months into pregnancy can expectant mothers typically begin to feel movement?

1. Four months.

2. Eight months.

3. Two months.

4. Six months.

The correct answer is: Four months.

Expectant mothers typically begin to feel fetal movement, often described as "quickening," around four to five months into pregnancy. This sensation results from the developing fetus becoming more active as it grows. By this time, the mother’s body has also adapted to the physical changes of pregnancy, making it easier to recognize these movements. The timing can vary between individuals, but four months is a commonly accepted timeframe for when these initial movements are felt. In contrast, feeling movement at eight months would generally be too late, as movement would have been felt much earlier, while at two months, the fetus is still too small and not sufficiently developed for movements to be detected by the mother. By six months, while many women will feel consistent fetal movements, it is earlier in the pregnancy that mothers first notice this important developmental milestone.