Reduced Fetal Movements and Perinatal Mortality

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Perinatal Health

Background:

• Fetal movement counting is a maternal method for assessing fetal well-being.
• Reduced fetal movement (RFM) is linked to a significant risk of stillbirth, affecting 30-55% of women experiencing RFM within a week.
• In 2015, 2.6 million intrauterine deaths were estimated globally.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of reduced fetal movements on perinatal mortality and outcomes.
• To assess the effectiveness of educational interventions on maternal fetal movement counting.
• To determine the influence on the mode of delivery.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted across electronic databases.
• Studies examining the correlation between reduced fetal movements, stillbirth, and perinatal morbidity were included.
• The review focused on interventions related to fetal movement counting.

Main Results:

• A correlation exists between altered fetal movement quantity/quality and the incidence of stillbirth in preceding weeks.
• Educational interventions on fetal movement counting, emphasizing quantity and density, may mitigate adverse perinatal outcomes.
• Informing pregnant women about the significance of fetal movements is key.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare providers should educate pregnant women on the importance of fetal movement counting.
• Women should be encouraged to recognize their baby's normal fetal movement patterns.
• Alerting women to changes in fetal movement patterns, including quality (density), is essential.