Could the Increase in Fetal Movement Be a Sign of the Imminent Fetal Demise? A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Monitoring fetal movement is a simple and effective approach to assessing fetal well-being. Among other issues, the maternal perception of altered (not just reduced) fetal movements remains a complex issue. This study aimed to report a case of fetal demise following the increased fetal movements in the third trimester of pregnancy. Case Presentation: A 32-year-old woman in 34th week of her first pregnancy attended the emergency room while she had no chief complaint of fetal movement from the previous night; the fetus was examined, but no fetal heart rate was detected. She had reported an increased perception of fetal movements in the earlier week. Her maternal history, as well as her labs and obstetrics data, were normal. Despite the normal appearance of the fetus and placenta, the triple loops of tied nuchal cord was abnormal. Conclusions: Increased fetal movement (IFM) was a controversial finding, and earlier studies had questioned its safety. Therefore, any fetal movement alteration may have had clinical and fateful importance. Thus, it was recommended that further prospective studies should be conducted in order to clarify the association between IFM patterns and pregnancy adverse outcomes.

The association between increased fetal movements in the third trimester and perinatal outcomes; a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Regarding the maternal perception of fetal movements, some clinical data indicated that increased movements are associated with adverse perinatal outcomes [ 15 , 16 ]. But these data are currently insufficient and sparse [ 17 ]. In addition, there is no systematic review that evaluated the risk of adverse outcomes such as stillbirth among women reporting this symptom, and also, it is still unclear how to reduce the risk.…”

Non-Contact Monitoring of Fetal Movement Using Abdominal Video Recording

“…Studies have shown that medical interventions during the period of FM decrease may result in the delivery of a healthy, living baby [ 6 , 7 ]. In addition to reduced FM, excessive FM can be a risk factor contributing to stillbirth [ 8 ]. Therefore, early detection of risk factors and timely intervention can reduce the incidence of stillbirth by establishing prenatal FM detection.…”