Observations of intrapartum fetal activities

Abstract

The objective of this observational study was to document the frequency of biophysical activities such as breathing and body movements during spontaneous labor in the low-risk, term fetus. The fetuses of truly low-risk patients without medication during labor were observed serially with real-time ultrasonography for fetal breathing or body movements for a maximum scanning time of 1 hour. Fetal breathing movements, hiccups, and fetal body movements were recorded, as were cervical dilatation, status of the fetal membranes, and Apgar scores. Fetal breathing activity was recorded in 76% of fetuses in early labor and 90% in advanced labor. Fetal body movements were present during 85% of the observations. All babies had 5-minute Apgar scores > 7. Ultrasonographic evaluation of fetal breathing and body movements during spontaneous labor was associated with normal birth outcome in this low-risk population. The clinical utility of this noninvasive method in determining intrapartum fetal health remains to be tested in an unselected population.