During human pregnancy , when is the first movement of the foetus observed ?

Options

A. At the end of first trimester
B. At the end of second trimester
C. At 20 weeks of gestation
D. At 16 weeks of gestation

Answer

To determine when the first movement of the fetus is observed during human pregnancy, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand Gestation**:
- Gestation refers to the average duration of human pregnancy, which is approximately 9 months or 40 weeks.

2. **Development Timeline**:
- During the first month, the embryo's heart begins to form, and the heartbeat can be detected.
- By the second month, the fetus develops limbs and digits.

3. **Trimester Breakdown**:
- The pregnancy is divided into three trimesters:
- **First Trimester**: Up to 12 weeks (3 months)
- **Second Trimester**: 13 to 26 weeks (4 to 6 months)
- **Third Trimester**: 27 to 40 weeks (7 to 9 months)

4. **Fetal Movement**:
- The first noticeable movements of the fetus, often referred to as "quickening," typically occur by the end of the **fifth month** of pregnancy.
- Since 5 months corresponds to **20 weeks of gestation**, this is when the first movements are generally felt by the mother.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the first movement of the fetus is observed at **20 weeks of gestation**.

### Final Answer:
The first movement of the fetus is observed at **20 weeks of gestation** (Option C).

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