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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year : 2019  |  Volume : 36  |  Issue : 3  |  Page : 398-402

A novel daily fetal movement monitoring chart to detect the fetus at risk for IUD- A case–control study


1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sandhyaram Maternity Hospital, Katampazhi Puram, Palakkad Dst, Kerala, India
2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Community Health Center, Piler, Chittor, Andhra Pradesh, India

Correspondence Address:
Dr. S R Hemmanur
Sandhya Ram Maternity Hospital, Katampazhipuram, Palakkad - 678 633, Kerala
India
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/TJOG.TJOG_65_19

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Background: Fetal movement (FM) monitoring by the expectant mother is a noninvasive and inexpensive method to detect a fetus at risk. In spite of using available methods, stillbirths continue to occur; hence, there is a need for newer methods. Methods: In this prospective case–control study, 500 booked uncomplicated singleton antenatal mothers were introduced to a specially designed daily FM count (DFMC) chart at 24 weeks of gestation. The ultrasonography (USG) evaluation for all the women was conducted before the beginning of the study. Women were advised to record FMs for an hour after breakfast, after lunch, and after dinner. If the FMs felt were less than five in the first hour, they were advised to continue recording the movements in the subsequent hours. Women were advised to consider “FM diminished” and report to the doctor when they persistently perceived less than five movements/hour for 6 h. Five hundred similarly booked antenatal mothers, who were not given DFMC charts, formed the control group. The number of mothers who reported diminished FM, number of intrauterine fetal deaths (IUFDs), and the number of meconium-stained liquor at delivery in the subgroups of women with abnormal cardiotocography (CTG) and biophysical profile (BPP) were recorded in both groups and compared. Results: The number of mothers who reported diminished FM in cases was 39 (7.8%) and in controls was 15 (3%). The number of IUFDs in cases were 2 (0.4%) and in controls were 9 (1.8%). The number of fetuses with abnormal CTG and BPP in cases was 15 (3%) and in controls was 3 (0.6%). The number of fetuses with meconium-stained liquor in subgroup of women with abnormal CTG and BPP in cases was 11 (73%) and in controls was 3 (100%). Statistically significant differences were observed between cases and controls with P < 0.005, favoring the use of new DFMC charts. Conclusion: Fetal monitoring with the new DFMC charts by every mother from 24 weeks onward improves maternal awareness about FMs and helps detect fetuses at risk for IUD, leading to reduction in stillbirths.


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