Monitoring Fetal Movement to Prevent Stillborns
Pregnant Women Who Monitor Fetus Activity Less Likely to Lose Baby
Aug 25, 2009 Katherine Brind'Amour
In a study published in July 2009 by Tveit et al titled "Reduction of late stillbirth with the introduction of fetal movement information and guidelines - a clinical quality improvement" indicates that stillbirths occurred less frequently among women who learned how to monitor fetal movement.
By checking for Decreased Fetal Movement (DFM), women were able to determine whether a hospital visit was needed for the health and safety of the baby, thereby potentially preventing the death of the fetus.
Decreased Fetal Movement (DFM)
According to the Norwegian research team mentioned above, women who experience DFM are more likely to suffer a stillbirth or other poor birth outcomes. DFM occurs when the fetus moves less often in a given period of time, as detected by the pregnant woman.
Women who participated in the research program were given written information on monitoring fetal movement, and were invited to practice fetal movement monitoring for the remainder of their pregnancies.
In addition, health care professionals at 14 Norwegian hospitals were given information on managing cases of DFM. Over 3000 women participated in the main study, and stillbirths decreased among women experiencing DFM between the main study and the baseline measurements.
Tveit et al reported that the use of ultrasound to examine cases of DFM increased over the duration of the study, and follow-up visits were decreased for such incidences.
Overall, the researchers found that providing women with information on fetal monitoring and making sure that health care practitioners have uniform information is associated with a reduction in stillbirths.
Learn to Monitor Fetal Movement by Kick Counting
For women with high-risk pregnancies, some physicians may recommend beginning to keep track of fetal movements at 24-26 weeks along. For low-risk pregnancies, it is typically recommended to begin at around 28 weeks gestation.
Healthy babies will have at least 10 kicks every one to two hours (check with a physician), although many babies will move that many times in the space of half an hour. Most women should be monitoring the baby once a day at approximately the same time every day.
To make keeping track easier, it is helpful to write down the time of the first and the tenth kick. If the number is less than usual or much slower than usual, try waking the baby by drinking cold water or taking a brief walk. Repeat the entire count.
If the baby still does not move ten times in the allotted amount of time, contact a doctor. For more information on tracking fetal activity, read general recommendations for counting baby kicks, including more details on when to call a doctor.
When a baby's movement habits change suddenly or stop altogether for too long, physicians recommend that the pregnant mom call a doctor.
Preventing Stillbirths by Tracking Fetal Activity
Because scientific research shows that DFM can indicate significant health complications for the baby, learning to monitor the baby's kicks can alert the mother to a potential problem much earlier than she might have realized otherwise.
By addressing the DFM quickly, it is possible to prevent stillbirths if medical attention can be administered soon enough.
Resources for Healthy Pregnancies
Learn the risk factors for gestational diabetes.
Learn how to manage gestational diabetes.
Learn how to eat healthy during pregnancy.
Keep Track of Baby's Movements by Counting Kicks
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