Summary Fetal breathing movements and fetal whole body movements were observed over 2 hours in 22 normal singleton pregnancies between 34 and 38 weeks gestation using a real time ultrasonic B scan method. The proportion of time fetuses spent making breathing movements increased from 9.9 per cent to 48.3 per cent within one hour of their fasting mothers taking a 50 g glucose drink. Fetal whole body movements were not increased after maternal glucose ingestion. Arousal of the fetal central nervous system seems dependent on the level of fetal blood glucose.

In 12 normal and 50 high risk pregnancies fetal breathing and fetal trunk movements were measured by real time ultrasound after the mothers had been given oral glucose. Fetal breathing was significantly reduced in the two fetuses which subsequently died and in five of six fetuses developing fetal distress in labour. Two patterns of breathing were noted in 23 fetuses with cessation of Intrauterine growth: either reduced fetal breathing or almost continuous breathing. Fetal trunk movements were more variable than breathing movements and a reduction in trunk movements had less predictive value.

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