Monitoring fetal body movement

Early in gestation the fetus is active, with movements reflecting several different central nervous system functions. Specific muscle actions of the limbs and trunk respond to different brain stimuli. Sporadic head, trunk, and limb motions that are spastic in quality eventually give way to more combined, sustained, and regular motions as integration develops. This progressive complexity in stimulus reaction has been evaluated with continuous observation using real-time ultrasound imaging. Monitoring gross fetal body motion has gained acceptance as being useful in predicting impending fetal compromise and even death, especially in the presence of chronic placental insufficiency. Prolonged or frequent body movements noted by maternal perception, electromechanical monitoring, and ultrasound imaging are reassuring findings. Fetal inactivity should be documented and requires a reassessment of any underlying antepartum complication and a more precise evaluation of fetal well-being with the use of other techniques. An adequate interpretation and an explanation of these findings to the pregnant woman is necessary to prevent undue stress from misinformation.