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Awareness of fetal movements and pregnancy outcomes
Sophiahemmet University.ORCID iD: 0000-0003-0830-217X
2020 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Fetal movements are one, among others, of the measurable factors indicating wellbeing of the fetus. Decreased fetal movements are associated with intrauterine growth restriction and stillbirth. Women with experience of stillbirth have often noticed decreased and weaker fetal movements preceding the intrauterine death. Further, seeking care for decreased fetal movements is a common reason for unscheduled contact with health care. The aim of this thesis was to investigate whether a method, aimed to increase women’s awareness of the fetal movement pattern, had an effect on pregnancy outcomes. Further, the thesis aimed to study pregnancy outcomes for women seeking care for decreased or altered fetal movements.

In Study I, 2683 women completed questionnaires when they presented for decreased fetal movements, after an examination of their unborn baby, that did not result in any interventions aimed at ending the pregnancy. In Studies II–IV, we evaluated Mindfetalness, a method aimed to increase women’s awareness of the fetal movement pattern. Women were given a leaflet of how to practise Mindfetalness in third trimester: lie down on your side when the baby is awake and focus on the strength, character and frequency of the movements for about 15 minutes daily (but do not count each movement). Women’s attitudes to and compliance with Mindfetalness were investigated in Study II, comprising 104 women. In studies III-IV we studied the effect of Mindfetalness on pregnancy outcomes and, through cluster-randomisation, 19 639 women in Stockholm were randomised to Mindfetalness and 20 226 to routine care. Study IV comprised a sub-analysis, where we compared women born in Somalia and Sweden.

Women in the Mindfetalness group (Study III) had spontaneous onset of labour to a higher extent (RR 1.02, CI 1.01–1.03), less cesarean sections (RR 0.95, CI 0.91–0.99) and labour inductions (RR 0.96, CI 0.92–1.00), than women in the Routine-care group. More women in the Mindfetalness group contacted healthcare due to decreased fetal movements (RR 1.72, CI 1.57–1.87). A decreased number of babies born small for gestational age (RR 0.95, CI 0.90–1.00) and those transferred to neonatal care (RR 0.93, CI 0.86–1.00) was seen in the Mindfetalness group. No differences were found in Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes. Women born in Somalia had a higher risk of Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes (RR 2.17, CI 1.19–3.61) and of having a baby small for gestational age (RR 2.19, CI 1.85–2.56), than women born in Sweden (Study IV). The majority of the women had a positive attitude towards Mindfetalness and practised the method daily (Study II). Women contacting healthcare due to decreased fetal movements had labour induction to a higher extent than women not seeking care due to decreased fetal movements (Study I).

Increased maternal awareness of fetal movements by Mindfetalness in the third trimester is advantageous for mother and baby. Spontaneous start of labour increased and interventions, notably cesarean sections, decreased. Fewer babies were born small for gestational age and in need of neonatal care. Women expressed having positive attitudes to the method and feelings of safety and calm, when they practised Mindfetalness.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Stockholm: Karolinska Institutet , 2020. , p. 100
National Category
Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:shh:diva-3684ISBN: 978-91-7831-749-3 (print)OAI: oai:DiVA.org:shh-3684DiVA, id: diva2:1427224
Public defence
2020-03-27, Erforssalen, Sophiahemmet Högskola, Valhallavägen 91, ingång R and online via Zoom, Stockholm, 09:00 (Swedish)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2020-04-29 Created: 2020-04-29 Last updated: 2021-06-24Bibliographically approved
List of papers
1. Increased labor induction and women presenting with decreased or altered fetal movements: A population-based survey
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Increased labor induction and women presenting with decreased or altered fetal movements: A population-based survey
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2019 (English)In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 14, no 5, article id e0216216Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

INTRODUCTION: Women's awareness of fetal movements is important as perception of decreased fetal movements can be a sign of a compromised fetus. We aimed to study rate of labor induction in relation to number of times women seek care due to decreased or altered fetal movements during their pregnancy compared to women not seeking such care. Further, we investigated the indication of induction.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective population-based cohort study including all obstetric clinics in Stockholm, Sweden. Questionnaires were distributed to women who sought care due to decreased or altered fetal movements ≥ 28 week's gestation in 2014, women for whom an examination did not indicate a compromised fetus that required induction of labor or cesarean section when they sought care. Women who gave birth at ≥ 28 weeks' gestation in 2014 in Stockholm comprises the reference group.

RESULTS: Labor was induced more often among the 2683 women who had sought care due to decreased or altered fetal movements (RR 1.4, 95% CI 1.3-1.5). In women who presented with decreased or altered fetal movements induction of labor occurred more frequently for fetal indication than those with induction of labor and no prior fetal movement presentation (RR 1.6, 95% CI 1.4-1.8). The rate of induction increased with number of times a woman sought care, RR 1.3 for single presentation to 3.2 for five or more.

CONCLUSIONS: We studied women seeking care for decreased or altered fetal movements and for whom pregnancy was not terminated with induction or caesarean section. Subsequent (median 20 days), induction of labor and induction for fetal indications were more frequent in this group compared to the group of women with no fetal movement presentations. Among women seeking care for altered or decreased fetal movements, the likelihood of induction of labor increased with frequency of presentation.

Keywords
Fetal movements
National Category
Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:shh:diva-3302 (URN)10.1371/journal.pone.0216216 (DOI)31048896 (PubMedID)
Available from: 2019-05-09 Created: 2019-05-09 Last updated: 2021-06-14Bibliographically approved
2. Women's attitudes, experiences and compliance concerning the use of Mindfetalness- a method for systematic observation of fetal movements in late pregnancy
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Women's attitudes, experiences and compliance concerning the use of Mindfetalness- a method for systematic observation of fetal movements in late pregnancy
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2017 (English)In: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, ISSN 1471-2393, E-ISSN 1471-2393, Vol. 17, no 1, article id 359Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

BACKGROUND: Maternal perception of decreased fetal movements and low awareness of fetal movements are associated with a negative birth outcome. Mindfetalness is a method developed for women to facilitate systematic observations of the intensity, character and frequency of fetal movements in late pregnancy. We sought to explore women's attitudes, experiences and compliance in using Mindfetalness.

METHODS: We enrolled 104 pregnant women treated at three maternity clinics in Stockholm, Sweden, from February to July of 2016. We educated 104 women in gestational week 28-32 by providing information about fetal movements and how to practice Mindfetalness. Each was instructed to perform the assessment daily for 15 min. At each subsequent follow-up, the midwife collected information regarding their perceptions of Mindfetalness, and their compliance. Content analyses, descriptive and analytic statistics were used in the analysis of data.

RESULTS: Of the women, 93 (89%) were positive towards Mindfetalness and compliance was high 78 (75%). Subjective responses could be binned into one of five categories: Decreased worry, relaxing, creating a relationship, more knowledge about the unborn baby and awareness of the unborn baby. Eleven (11%) women had negative perceptions of Mindfetalness, citing time, and the lack of need for a method to observe fetal movements as the most common reasons.

CONCLUSION: Women in late pregnancy are generally positive about Mindfetalness and their compliance with daily use is high. The technique helped them to be more aware of, and create a relationship with, their unborn baby. Mindfetalness can be a useful tool in antenatal care. However, further study is necessary in order to determine whether the technique is able to reduce the incidence of negative birth outcome.

Keywords
Attitude, Compliance, Fetal movements, Mindfetalness, Relationship
National Category
Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:shh:diva-2779 (URN)10.1186/s12884-017-1548-5 (DOI)29037234 (PubMedID)
Available from: 2017-10-20 Created: 2017-10-20 Last updated: 2020-06-02Bibliographically approved
3. Mindfetalness to increase women's awareness of fetal movements and pregnancy outcomes: a cluster-randomised controlled trial including 39 865 women
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Mindfetalness to increase women's awareness of fetal movements and pregnancy outcomes: a cluster-randomised controlled trial including 39 865 women
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2020 (English)In: British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ISSN 1470-0328, E-ISSN 1471-0528, Vol. 127, no 7, p. 829-837Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether a method for raising women's awareness of fetal movements, Mindfetalness, can affect pregnancy outcomes.

DESIGN: Cluster-randomised controlled trial.

SETTING: Sixty-seven maternity clinics in Stockholm, Sweden.

POPULATION: Women with singleton pregnancy with birth from 32 weeks' gestation.

METHODS: Women registered at a clinic randomised to Mindfetalness were assigned to receive a leaflet about Mindfetalness (n = 19 639) in comparison with routine care (n = 20 226). Data were collected from a population-based register.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes after birth, visit to healthcare due to decrease in fetal movements. Other outcomes: Apgar score <4 at 5 minutes after birth, small-for-gestational-age and mode of delivery.

RESULTS: No difference (1.1 versus 1.1%, relative risk [RR] 1.0; 95% CI 0.8-1.2) was found between the Mindfetalness group and the Routine care group for a 5-minute Apgar score <7. Women in the Mindfetalness group contacted healthcare more often due to decreased fetal movements (6.6 versus 3.8%, RR 1.72; 95% CI 1.57-1.87). Mindfetalness was associated with a reduction of babies born small-for-gestational-age (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.90-1.00), babies born after gestational week 41+6 (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.83-0.98) and caesarean sections (19.0 versus 20.0%, RR 0.95; 95% CI 0.91-0.99).

CONCLUSIONS: Mindfetalness did not reduce the number of babies born with an Apgar score <7. However, Mindfetalness was associated with the health benefits of decreased incidence of caesarean section and fewer children born small-for-gestational-age.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Introducing Mindfetalness in maternity care decreased caesarean sections but had no effect on the occurrence of Apgar scores <7.

Keywords
Apgar score, awareness, decreased fetal movements, reduced fetal movements
National Category
Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:shh:diva-3587 (URN)10.1111/1471-0528.16104 (DOI)31971325 (PubMedID)
Available from: 2020-02-14 Created: 2020-02-14 Last updated: 2021-10-05Bibliographically approved
4. Awareness of fetal movements and pregnancy outcomes among women born in Somalia and Sweden: A cluster-randomised controlled trial
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Awareness of fetal movements and pregnancy outcomes among women born in Somalia and Sweden: A cluster-randomised controlled trial
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(English)Manuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
National Category
Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:shh:diva-3683 (URN)
Available from: 2020-04-29 Created: 2020-04-29 Last updated: 2020-06-02Bibliographically approved

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