The immediate effects of chorionic villus sampling on fetal movements

The immediate effects of chorionic villus sampling on the fetus was studied by real-time ultrasound observation of fetal movements. Thirty-minute recordings, directly before and after chorionic villus sampling, were made in 10 women. No changes were observed in the incidence or distribution of the four movement patterns studied. This held true even in the two cases that ended in a spontaneous abortion. It is concluded that chorionic villus sampling does not stimulate movements or alter the intrauterine situation in such a way that fetal movements decrease.