Pregnancy outcomes in women presenting with single versus multiple episodes of reduced fetal movements: A prospective observational study

Fetal movement counting may assist clinicians to intervene at the right time and improve perinatal outcomes, but may sometimes cause unnecessary interventions. A recent Cochrane review in 2015 concludes that there is insufficient evidence to influence practice. This prospective observational study was conducted to evaluate pregnancy outcomes of 103 pregnant women presenting with primary complaints of reduced fetal movements to our Institute. All patients underwent ultrasonography (USG) and non-stress testing (NST) as preliminary investigations and were followed up till delivery. Labor outcomes like onset of labor, mode of delivery, neonatal outcomes like APGAR scores, admission to NICU for > 24 hours, birth weight, neonatal complications and maternal complications were noted. One hundred and three pregnant women presented with reduced fetal movements, of whom, 65% were term primigravida between the ages of 18-26 years. 47.5% belonged to the high risk pregnancy group. The rates of admission (62.1%), induction (77.7%) and cesarean section (43.7%) were high in this group. Pregnancy outcomes did not differ between single and multiple episodes of reduced fetal movements. Based on risk categorization we found that a single episode of reduced fetal movement was associated with approximately 70% good neonatal outcomes, whereas there was 50% risk of adverse neonatal outcomes with multiple episodes. Though this was clinically significant we could not establish statistical significance for this result. Reduced fetal movement can occur in both low and high risk pregnant population. Pregnancy outcomes between single and multiple episodes of RFM were not significantly different.

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MANAGEMENT OF REDUCED FETAL MOVEMENTS

Fetal and Maternal Medicine Review ◽

10.1017/s096553951300017x ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 24 (4) ◽

pp. 201-231 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

L E HIGGINS ◽

E D JOHNSTONE ◽

A E P HEAZELL

Keyword(s):

Head Movement ◽

Involuntary Movement ◽

Fetal Movement ◽

Normal Pattern ◽

Expectant Mother ◽

Maternal Perception ◽

Reduced Fetal Movements ◽

Fetal Movements ◽

Fetal Activity ◽

Reduced Fetal Movement

Reduced fetal movement (RFM) is commonly defined as any reduction in maternal perception of fetal activity. Perceived fetal activity may be movement of limbs, trunk or head movement, but excludes fetal hiccoughs (as this is involuntary movement). The perception of fetal movement by an expectant mother is the first, and ongoing, non-sonographic indicator of fetal viability. The “normal” pattern of fetal movements varies from pregnancy to pregnancy, and often does not become established until 28 weeks’ gestation. Many babies have particularly active periods of the day, usually corresponding to periods of maternal rest and inactivity (which may in itself reflect increased maternal awareness of fetal movement). A variable percentage of sonographically observed fetal movements are perceived by prospective mothers (commonly 30–40%, although some studies report rates as high as 80%).

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THE CORRELATION BETWEEN FOETAL MOVEMENTS COUNT AND FOETAL OUTCOME

International Journal of Medical and Biomedical Studies ◽

10.32553/ijmbs.v3i12.807 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (12) ◽

Author(s):

Mamta Gangwal

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Apgar Score ◽

Stress Test ◽

Mode Of Delivery ◽

Well Being ◽

Fetal Outcome ◽

Fetal Movement ◽

Risk Pregnancy ◽

Fetal Movements ◽

Reduced Fetal Movement

Background: A reduced fetal movement is a common indication for assessment of fetal well being. A reduced fetal movement is considered as high risk pregnancy because the fetus is at high risk of hypoxia and sudden demise. Methods: Hospital based prospective study conducted at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, RVRS Medical College, Bhilwara. Total 130 pregnant women were included in this study. Results: 10.77% patients didn’t perceive fetal movements after admission. Out of 14 patients with absent DFMC, 6 babies (42.86%) died and 8 babies (57.14%) survived. The association betweenNon Stress Test and mode of delivery was found statistically significant. 83.33%) were admitted in NICU. Out of 24 patients presenting with non reactive NST, 20.83% (5) babies born with APGAR score more than 7 and 79.17% (19) babies had APGAR score 4-7. Conclusion: The association between NST & DFMC and fetal outcome was found statistically significant. Keywords: DFMC, NST, Fetal outcome, survived.

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