First foetal movement is called:

Appeared in: RIMS Nursing Officer - 2022

Explanation

Quickening is the medical term for the first fetal movements felt by the pregnant woman.
It is a subjective sign of pregnancy, typically experienced as a gentle flutter or kick.
The timing varies between first-time mothers (primigravida), who usually feel it around 18-20 weeks, and mothers who have been pregnant before (multigravida), who may feel it earlier, around 16-18 weeks.

Option A: Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular, often painless uterine tightenings that prepare the uterine muscles for labor but are not fetal movements.
Option B: Show refers to the passage of the mucus plug from the cervix, often mixed with a small amount of blood. It is a sign of impending labor, not fetal movement.
Option C: Lightening is the sensation the mother feels when the fetal head descends into the pelvic cavity. It is related to the baby's position, not movement.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Terminology of Pregnancy-Related Signs as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Monitoring fetal movement is a crucial aspect of antenatal care. Nurses should educate expectant mothers on how to perform 'kick counts' (e.g., counting at least 10 movements in a 2-hour period) starting around 28 weeks.
A report of decreased fetal movement warrants prompt evaluation, which may include a Non-Stress Test (NST) or Biophysical Profile (BPP) to assess fetal well-being.
What if? If a woman at 34 weeks reports no fetal movement for the past 12 hours, the priority nursing action is to instruct her to come to the hospital immediately for fetal monitoring. This is a potential sign of fetal distress requiring urgent assessment.

How to Approach the Question

First, read the question carefully to identify the key term: 'first foetal movement'.
This is a direct recall question that tests your knowledge of specific obstetric terminology.
Evaluate each option based on its definition.
Recall that 'Quickening' is the specific term for the initial perception of fetal movement by the mother.
Differentiate this from other pregnancy-related terms: 'Lightening' (fetal descent), 'Braxton Hicks' (contractions), and 'Show' (mucus plug).
Select the option that directly matches the definition asked for in the question stem.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Midwifery Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing Sandeep Kaur p. 7-12

E6 Medicine Macleod Clinical Examination 15e p. 262-264

Practise the full RIMS Nursing Officer - 2022

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.