Fetal breathing and generalized fetal movements in normal antenatal patients

Fetal breathing movements (FBM) and generalized fetal movements (GFM) were recorded for 30 minutes using a real time B-scan instrument in 46 women with uncomplicated pregnancies. FBM occurred for 10.9+/-0.9 (SE) per cent of the recording time. The time occupied by FBM was not significantly related to smoking, meal times or plasma glucose concentrations. FBM were absent during the observation period in 15 per cent of patients and present for less than 10 per cent of the time in 33 per cent of patients.