Low Maternal Awareness of Fetal Movement is Associated With Small for Gestational Age Infants

Abstract

Our aim was to identify associations between information given to pregnant women about fetal activity, level of maternal awareness of fetal activity, maternal concern about decreased fetal movement, and pregnancy outcomes. This was a population-based cross-sectional study. Mothers with a singleton delivery were invited to answer an anonymous structured questionnaire before discharge from the delivery unit. Six hundred and ninety-one mothers participated (60.4% of eligible women). Women were highly aware of fetal activity. Yet, 25% did not receive any information from care providers about expected normal fetal activity. Receiving information about fetal activity was associated with increased maternal awareness (odds ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-3.4). Low maternal awareness of fetal activity was associated with an increased risk of having a small for gestational age infant (odds ratio, 6.5; 95% CI, 3.5-12.3). Expectations about the normal frequency of fetal movements, as reported by the mothers, varied from 25 kicks/hour to 3 kicks/24 hours. Receiving information about expected fetal activity was associated with maternal concerns about decreased fetal movement, but not with improved outcomes. We conclude that receiving information about expected fetal activity was associated with maternal concerns, but not with improved outcomes.

How pregnant women learn about foetal movements: Sources and preferences for information

“…This result is similar to a Norwegian study, where a third of participants did not recall receiving information about foetal movements. 13 Similar results have also been reported in New Zealand where 25% of women reported not receiving information 19 and recently in Canada where 34% of women did not recall receiving information. 20 The lack of information was reported to be higher in a developing country where 60% of South African women did not recall receiving information about foetal movements.…”

“…12,13 Some studies asked women about where or how they prefer to obtain their information, but not in relation to foetal activity specifically. 12,[14][15][16][17] The survey form included multiple choice options for sources of information and preferences, with some open ended questions to allow women to voice their opinions or make comments important to them.…”

Maternal perception of foetal movement compared with movement detected by real‐time ultrasound: An exploratory study

“…13 Our statistical model allowed consideration of how duration affected perception within the context of other potential influences, that is, foetal body part moving and contact with maternal structures. This is an important finding, given that if the quantity or duration of foetal movement decreases, as occurs with a range of foetal complications 4,14,15 , mothers may report a decrease in the number of perceived movements. Mothers perceived a higher proportion of movements where the moving foetal part(s) contacted the uterus compared with those that only contacted the placenta or did not contact maternal structures.…”

Maternal Perception and Antenatal Advice regarding Fetal Movements in Al-Gharbyia Governorate, Egypt

“…This result agrees with Berndl et al, (2013) (24) and Saastad el al., (2008) (25) . While, Malm et al, (2014) (26) , indicated that low maternal awareness of fetal movements is associated with negative birth outcomes.…”

“…ANZSA guidelines include giving all pregnant women advice about fetal movements, namely that it is normal to experience at least ten movements in 2 hours and advising women not to wait until the next day if they notice decreased or absent fetal movements (37) . Conversely, Saastad el al., (2008) (25) , concluded from their study that receiving information about expected fetal activity was associated with maternal concerns about decreased fetal movements, but not with improved outcomes.…”