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Fetal manipulation for facilitating tests of fetal wellbeing
1Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, 100 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore, Singapore, 229899. ktan@pacific.net.sg
Background:
Manual fetal manipulation has been suggested to improve the efficiency of antepartum fetal heart rate testing.
Objectives:
The objective of this review was to assess the merits or adverse effects of the use of manual fetal manipulation in conjunction with tests of fetal wellbeing.
Search Strategy:
We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register in June 2001.
Selection Criteria:
All published and unpublished randomized controlled trials assessing the merits of the use of fetal manipulation in conjunction with tests of fetal wellbeing.
Data Collection And Analysis:
Both reviewers independently extracted data and assessed trial quality. Authors of published and unpublished trials were contacted for further information.
Main Results:
Only two trials with a total of 1090 women with 2110 episodes of participation were included. Manual fetal manipulation did not decrease the incidence of non-reactive antenatal cardiotocography test (odds ratio 1.28 confidence interval 0.94-1.74).
Reviewer'S Conclusions:
Manual fetal manipulation has not been shown to reduce the incidence of non-reactive cardiotocography. Trials of manual fetal manipulation should take into consideration that there have not been any benefits demonstrated as yet.