PATTERNS OF HUMAN-FETAL BREATHING DURING THE LAST 10 WEEKS OF PREGNANCY

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  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 56  (1) , 24-30
Abstract
Continuous measurements of human fetal breathing movements and gross fetal body movements were made with an ultrasonic real-time scanner for 24 h periods in 9 women at 30-31 wk and 11 women at 38-39 wk gestation. At 30-31 wk gestation a significant increase in fetal breathing movements occurred during the 2nd and 3rd h after meals; this pattern apparently followed an increase in maternal plasma glucose concentrations. At 38-39 wk gestation fetal breathing movements increased during the 2nd and 3rd h after breakfast, but the troughs seen before lunch and supper at 30-31 wk gestation were not present. Fetal breathing movements diminished over the day and reached a minimum between 1900 and 2400 hours. Fetal breathing activity increased in both groups between 0400 and 0700 hours while mothers were asleep; this was not related to an increase in maternal glucose concentrations. Absence of fetal breathing movements was observed for up to 122 min. in this analysis of 480 h in 20 patients. These data show that much more information must be obtained on factors that normally influence fetal breathing activity. Only then can research strategies be suggested for clinical evaluation of the usefulness of fetal breathing movements in the assessment of fetal health.

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