DIURNAL-VARIATION OF FETAL ACTIVITY

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 55  (4) , 417-419
Abstract
Fetal movements (FM) in utero are an expression of fetal well-being, and assessing these movements is important in chronic fetal distress. The diurnal variations were studied in 2 groups of high-risk pregnant women who assessed FM by subjective perception. The patients in the 1st group assessed FM before and after meals. The majority (86%) reported no significant difference in fetal activity before and after meals; 14% noted a constant decrease after meals. Of the 2nd group, which assessed FM 3 .times. daily, 82% discerned no significant differences and 18% showed significant diurnal variations. Assessment of FM is not necessarily dependent on a strict timetable.