Fetal assessment in the third trimester

Fetal health in the third trimester is assessed by means of clinical, ultrasound, biochemical, and biophysical techniques. Clinical examination and prenatal risk scoring should be performed at every prenatal visit. Fetal movement counting may be recommended to all pregnant women in the last trimester. A strategy is presented for use of the non-stress test and biophysical profile score for women at increased risk. Family physicians with a low-risk obstetrics practice must judge who should be referred for testing.