Fetal movement monitoring

Fetal movement monitoring

Fetal movement monitoring

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Fetal Movement - Feeling the Kicks

  • Quickening: First maternal perception of fetal movement.
    • Primigravida: 18-20 weeks
    • Multigravida: 16-18 weeks
  • Perception is subjective and can be affected by anterior placenta, amniotic fluid index (AFI), and maternal BMI.
  • Decreased Fetal Movement (DFM): Subjective reduction in activity from the fetus's established baseline.

First Fetal Movement by Gestation Week

⭐ A key screening approach is the "count to 10" (Cardiff method): feeling 10 distinct movements within 2 hours is considered reassuring.

Kick Count Methods - Counting the Wiggles

Formal fetal movement assessment, or 'kick counts,' is a key method for monitoring fetal well-being, typically initiated around 28 weeks of gestation. The mother quantifies fetal movements to detect potential hypoxia early.

MethodProcedureAlarm Threshold
Cardiff ("Count to 10")Time how long it takes to feel 10 distinct fetal movements.> 2 hours to feel 10 movements.
SadovskyCount movements for 1 hour, three times per day, usually after meals.< 4 movements per hour.
*   Perform counts at the same time each day, when the baby is typically active.
*   Lie on the left side to enhance uterine perfusion.

⭐ A maternal report of Decreased Fetal Movement (DFM) always warrants further investigation, starting with a Non-Stress Test (NST).

DFM Workup - When Kicks Quiet Down

Reactive NST strip with normal accelerations

Initial management for decreased fetal movement (DFM) is a stepwise process to assess for fetal hypoxia and prevent stillbirth. The primary goal is to rule out acidosis.

  • Umbilical Artery (UA) Doppler: Crucial in fetal growth restriction (IUGR) cases to assess placental perfusion. Absent or reversed end-diastolic flow is an ominous sign.

⭐ The Biophysical Profile (BPP) is an "ultrasound Apgar." It assesses 5 components, each getting a score of 0 or 2: Fetal breathing, Gross body movements, Fetal tone, Amniotic fluid index (AFI), and the NST itself.

Etiology of DFM - The Silent Culprits

  • Fetal
    • Benign: Normal sleep-wake cycles (most common, up to 40 min).
    • Pathologic: CNS depression (hypoxia, acidosis), congenital anomalies, infection, demise.
  • Placental
    • Insufficiency (leading to IUGR), abruption.
  • Maternal
    • Medications: CNS depressants like sedatives, opioids.
    • Substances: Smoking, alcohol.
    • Conditions: Obesity, dehydration.

⭐ An anterior placenta can mask fetal movements, making it a frequent cause for benign maternal concern.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Decreased fetal movement (DFM) is a critical sign requiring immediate evaluation to rule out fetal compromise.
  • Maternal monitoring ("kick counts") typically starts at 28 weeks; a normal count is ≥10 movements in 2 hours.
  • The first step for reported DFM is a Nonstress Test (NST).
  • A non-reassuring NST prompts a Biophysical Profile (BPP) or Contraction Stress Test (CST).
  • Underlying causes often relate to uteroplacental insufficiency, leading to fetal hypoxia.

Practice Questions: Fetal movement monitoring

Test your understanding with these related questions

You have been entrusted with the task of finding the causes of low birth weight in infants born in the health jurisdiction for which you are responsible. In 2017, there were 1,500 live births and, upon further inspection of the birth certificates, 108 of these children had a low birth weight (i.e. lower than 2,500 g), while 237 had mothers who smoked continuously during pregnancy. Further calculations have shown that the risk of low birth weight in smokers was 14% and in non-smokers, it was 7%, while the relative risk of low birth weight linked to cigarette smoking during pregnancy was 2%. In other words, women who smoked during pregnancy were twice as likely as those who did not smoke to deliver a low-weight infant. Using this data, you are also asked to calculate how much of the excess risk for low birth weight, in percentage terms, can be attributed to smoking. What is the attributable risk percentage for smoking leading to low birth weight?

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Flashcards: Fetal movement monitoring

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What is the result of pregnancy on a T3 resin uptake test?_____

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

What is the result of pregnancy on a T3 resin uptake test?_____

Resin uptake is decreased

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