The Correlation Between Foetal Movements Count And Foetal Outcome

Abstract

Decreased foetal movements counting observed by mothers is a challenging problem. In this study the effect of foetal movement count on the foetal outcome was studied. This is a descriptive prospective study carried out in two main maternity units, in the period from 1st April to 31st August 2003. Information was obtained from patients presenting to the labour room in Omdurman Maternity Hospital and Khartoum Teaching Hospital using questionnaire. A sum of 421 cases were classified according to foetal movement counts in 7 days prior to the admission into two groups: 1- Mothers who observed decreased foetal movement count of less than 10 per 12 hours (n=85). 2- Mothers who did not observe a decrease in foetal movement (n=336). Most of the study population were in the age group 20-29 years (68.4%). The housewives constitute 88.8% of the study population. The gestational age at which most of the study population presented was (37-40 weeks) (86.5%). The parous women constitute 70.1% of the study groups. cross tabulation was done between the groups with decreased foetal movement count and the intrapartum foetal and neonatal variables. There was significant association between decreased foetal movement count and intrapartum foetal distress (P= 0.000), meconium stained liquor (P= 0.000), caesarean section rate (P= 0.000), instrumental vaginal delivery (P = 0.000), Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes, admission to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and stillbirth. The study did not show significant association between decrease foetal movement and parity (P = <0.640), past obstetric history of stillbirth and early neonatal death (P < 0.20). The study concluded that decreased foetal movements count is a risk factor for adverse foetal outcome operative delivery and adverse neonatal outcome. Attention should be paid to foetal movement and activity in late pregnancy.