Summary: The purpose of this guideline is to provide advice to guide clinicians, based on the best evidence where available, regarding the management of women presenting with reduced fetal movements (RFM) during pregnancy.
This guideline reviews the risk factors for RFM in pregnancy and factors influencing maternal perception, and provides recommendations as to how women presenting in both the community and hospital settings should be managed. This guideline excludes the management of RFM in multiple pregnancy.
As is apparent from the low grading of the evidence for many of the recommendations, they have been developed to provide a broad practical guide for midwives and obstetricians in clinical practice. However, it is recognised that in individual women alternative approaches may be reasonable.
COVID disclaimer: This guideline was developed as part of the regular programme of Green-top Guidelines, as outlined in our document Developing a Green-top Guideline: Guidance for developers (PDF), and prior to the emergence of COVID-19.
Version history: This is the first edition of this guideline; the second edition of this guideline is currently in development.
Developer declaration of interests: Available on request.