Fetal movements in human pregnancies in the third trimester

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Fetal Medicine
• Perinatology

Background:

• Fetal movements (FM) are indicators of fetal well-being.
• Assessing FM is crucial for antepartum fetal surveillance.
• Various maternal and fetal conditions can influence FM.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between fetal movements and various pregnancy conditions.
• To determine the diagnostic value of FM monitoring in the third trimester.

Main Methods:

• Real-time B-scan ultrasound was used to measure FM in 50 women during their third trimester.
• 195 observations were conducted, quantifying FM per 20-minute periods.
• Correlations were analyzed with maternal conditions (diabetes, hypertension, Rh isoimmunization), placental factors, gestational age, birth weight, nonstress tests (NST), and fetal breathing movements (FBM).

Main Results:

• FM counts were similar in normal, diabetic, hypertensive, and placenta previa pregnancies.
• Significantly lower FM counts were noted in Rh isoimmunization with an affected fetus.
• Increased FM were associated with reactive nonstress tests (NST) and fetal breathing movements (FBM).
• Absent FM preceded fetal death in 3 cases, but FM were present before death in 2 other cases due to acute changes.
• No correlation was found between FM and neonatal death.

Conclusions:

• Fetal movement monitoring, particularly reduced FM, may indicate fetal compromise, especially in Rh isoimmunization.
• FM monitoring can be a valuable tool for antepartum fetal condition assessment.
• The absence of FM can be a critical warning sign, though its presence does not entirely rule out fetal demise.