The Effects of Fetal Movement Counting on Pregnancy Outcomes

Abstract

Introduction: Counting fetal movements may lead to timely assess fetal health and prevent the adverse effects of pregnancy. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of fetal movement counting on pregnancy outcomes. Materials and Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, 208 women with singleton pregnancy were randomly divided into two groups of fetal movement counting and control. Pregnancy outcomes were compared between the two groups. Data were analysed with SPSS and p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: There was no significant difference in the mean maternal concern (p=0.36), admission to hospital due to the decreased fetal movements (p=0.99), birth weight (p=0.21), Apgar score (p=0.51), the mean of gestational age at the time of decreased fetal movements (p=0.49) and mode of delivery (p=0.69) between the two groups. There were no cases of premature labour, intrauterine growth retardation and fetal death in the two groups. Conclusion: Pregnancy outcome was similar in the two groups of fetal movement counting and control. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effect of fetal movement counting on the major outcomes of pregnancy such as intrauterine fetal death.

Keywords

• fetal activity
• nulliparous women
• outcomes of pregnancy