Journal article

Womens experiences of two different self-assessment methods for monitoring fetal movements in full-term pregnancy. A Crossover trial.

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Publication Details

Author list: Hildingsson, Ingegerd

Publication year: 2014

Start page: Art. no. 349

ISSN: 1471-2393

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2393-14-349

URL: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2393/14/349

View additional information: View in Web of Science


Abstract

Background

Low maternal awareness of fetal movements is associated with negative birth outcomes. Knowledge regarding pregnant women’s compliance with programs of systematic self-assessment of fetal movements is needed. The aim of this study was to investigate women’s experiences using two different self-assessment methods for monitoring fetal movements and to determine if the women had a preference for one or the other method.

Methods

Data were collected by a crossover trial; 40 healthy women with an uncomplicated full-term pregnancy counted the fetal movements according to a Count-to-ten method and assessed the character of the movements according to the Mindfetalness method. Each self-assessment was observed by a midwife and followed by a questionnaire. A total of 80 self-assessments was performed; 40 with each method.

Results

Of the 40 women, only one did not find at least one method suitable. Twenty of the total of 39 reported a preference, 15 for the Mindfetalness method and five for the Count-to-ten method. All 39 said they felt calm, relaxed, mentally present and focused during the observations. Furthermore, the women described the observation of the movements as safe and reassuring and a moment for communication with their unborn baby.

Conclusions

In the 80 assessments all but one of the women found one or both methods suitable for self-assessment of fetal movements and they felt comfortable during the assessments. More women preferred the Mindfetalness method compared to the count-to-ten method, than vice versa.


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Last updated on 2017-05-10 at 21:47