FETAL ACTIVITY IN 100 NORMAL THIRD TRIMESTER PREGNANCIE

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Abstract
The incidence of fetal breathing movements (FBM), fetal trunk movements (FTM) and total fetal activity (TFA) was assessed by real-time ultrasonography in 100 normal pregnancies between 28 wk and term. One 30 min recording was made from each patient between 0900 and 1700 h. The mean incidences of FBM, FTM and TFA were, respectively, 37 .+-. 26 (SD)%, 18 .+-. 10% and 53 .+-. 24%. The mean breathing rate was 48 .+-. 12/min, and the mean number of movements per 30 min study period was 29 .+-. 15. There was a slightly higher incidence of FBM postprandially, but this failed to reach statistical significance. The mean incidence of FBM was lower before 31 wk and after 40 wk, compared to that from 31-40 wk, when the values of FBM and FTM were constant. The breathing rate was directly related to gestational age. The mean number of movements per 30 min study period was inversely related to gestational age, but the duration of movements increased progressively towards term, so that the incidence of FTM was constant throughout the 3rd trimester. There was only 1 recording of TFA below 10%.

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