When does a pregnant woman typically first notice fetal movements?

A pregnant woman typically first notices fetal movements, often referred to as "quickening," around 16 weeks of gestation. This timing can vary slightly among individuals, but it is during this stage that many women begin to feel the subtle movements of the fetus as it becomes more developed and active.

At 8 weeks, the fetus is still quite small and its movements are not strong enough for the mother to perceive. By 12 weeks, the fetus is becoming more developed, but the movements are still usually not noticeable. It is around 16 weeks that the uterus has grown sufficiently, and the fetus has developed enough muscle tone to create movements that can be felt by the mother. By 20 weeks, many women will definitely feel more pronounced movements, but 16 weeks is commonly recognized as the initial stage when these movements can first be felt.