Abstract

Background: Maternal perception of reduced fetal movements (RFM) is associated with increased risk of still birth, preterm labor & fetal growth restriction. RFM is thought to represent fetal compensation to conserve energy due to insufficient oxygen & nutrient transfer resulting from placental insufficiency. Intrauterine fetal death is preceded by RFM for 24 hours in up to 50% cases. In infants who are alive at presentation, RFM is associated with increased incidence of still birth, fetal growth restriction & feto-maternal hemorrhage. However RFM is may also occur in non pathological conditions such as anterior placental site, increased maternal activity & standing position. Inadequate clinician response to complaint of RFM is important contributory factor to still birth.

Aims and objectives: To assess association between maternal perceptions of reduced fetal movements and fetal outcome.

Methodology: Study was conducted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Bharati hospital, Pune. It was a prospective observational study of fetal outcomes in mothers perceiving reduced fetal movements. Women after 28 weeks of pregnancy presenting with reduced fetal movements out of that 202 pregnant women were included. Study was conducted from October 2020 to October 2022.

Results: Majority of the fetuses were healthy. There was strong association between reduced fetal movements and Oligohydramnios. We found significant association between NICU admission, birth weight, APGAR, and RFM category, while no significant association between RFM category and status at birth and type of delivery. There were 2 IUD’s noted.

Conclusion: Fetal movements monitoring is necessary during antenatal period, after 28 weeks of pregnancy, it is a good predictor of fetal outcome, and helps in timely intervention.

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