Fetal movements: A framework for antenatal conversations.
Antenatal
Fetal movements
Foetal
Pregnancy
Pregnancy outcome
Prenatal
Journal
Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives
ISSN: 1878-1799
Titre abrégé: Women Birth
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 101266131
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
May 2023
May 2023
Historique:
received:
25
03
2022
revised:
20
07
2022
accepted:
06
09
2022
medline:
25
4
2023
pubmed:
27
9
2022
entrez:
26
9
2022
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Presentations for decreased fetal movements comprise a significant proportion of acute antenatal assessments. Decreased fetal movements are associated with increased likelihood of adverse pregnancy outcomes including stillbirth. Consensus-based guidelines recommend pregnant women routinely receive information about fetal movements, but practice is inconsistent, and the information shared is frequently not evidence-based. There are also knowledge gaps about the assessment and management of fetal movement concerns. Women have indicated that they would like more accurate information about what to expect regarding fetal movements. Historically, fetal movement information has focussed on movement counts. This is problematic, as the number of fetal movements perceived varies widely between pregnant women, and no set number of movements has been established as a reliable indicator of fetal wellbeing. Of late, maternity care providers have also advised women to observe their baby's movement pattern, and promptly present if they notice a change. However, normal fetal movement patterns are rarely defined. Recently, a body of research has emerged relating to maternal perception of fetal movement features such as strength, presence of hiccups, and diurnal pattern as indicators of fetal wellbeing in addition to frequency. Sharing comprehensive and gestation-appropriate information about fetal movements may be more satisfying for women, empowering women to identify for themselves when their baby is doing well, and importantly when additional assessment is needed. We propose a conversational approach to fetal movement information sharing, focusing on fetal movement strength, frequency, circadian pattern, and changes with normal fetal development, tailored to the individual.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Presentations for decreased fetal movements comprise a significant proportion of acute antenatal assessments. Decreased fetal movements are associated with increased likelihood of adverse pregnancy outcomes including stillbirth. Consensus-based guidelines recommend pregnant women routinely receive information about fetal movements, but practice is inconsistent, and the information shared is frequently not evidence-based. There are also knowledge gaps about the assessment and management of fetal movement concerns. Women have indicated that they would like more accurate information about what to expect regarding fetal movements.
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSIONS
Historically, fetal movement information has focussed on movement counts. This is problematic, as the number of fetal movements perceived varies widely between pregnant women, and no set number of movements has been established as a reliable indicator of fetal wellbeing. Of late, maternity care providers have also advised women to observe their baby's movement pattern, and promptly present if they notice a change. However, normal fetal movement patterns are rarely defined. Recently, a body of research has emerged relating to maternal perception of fetal movement features such as strength, presence of hiccups, and diurnal pattern as indicators of fetal wellbeing in addition to frequency.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
Sharing comprehensive and gestation-appropriate information about fetal movements may be more satisfying for women, empowering women to identify for themselves when their baby is doing well, and importantly when additional assessment is needed. We propose a conversational approach to fetal movement information sharing, focusing on fetal movement strength, frequency, circadian pattern, and changes with normal fetal development, tailored to the individual.
Identifiants
pubmed: 36154793
pii: S1871-5192(22)00321-3
doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2022.09.003
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
238-246Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2023 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Declaration of Interest None.