The purpose of this guideline is to advise clinicians, based on the best evidence where available, on the care of women presenting with reduced fetal movements during pregnancy.
This guideline reviews the risk factors for reduced fetal movements in pregnancy and aspects influencing maternal perception. Recommendations are provided on how to care for women presenting in both the community and hospital settings.
Many of the recommendations are graded lower owing to the available evidence, but the aim has been to provide a broad practical guide for both midwives and obstetricians in clinical practice, with the understanding that in individual women alternative approaches may be reasonable.
Version history:
This is the second edition of this guideline. The first edition was previously published in 2011 under the same title. The review process will commence in 2029, unless otherwise indicated.
Disclosures of interest:
Dr MK Whitworth: None declared.
Dr M Fisher: None declared.
Professor AEP Heazell: Professor Heazell is the director of the Tommy's Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre and has received centre funding to the University of Manchester from 2013–Present; he has also received grants to the University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust from the National Institute of Health Research. He has received consulting fees from Norgine Ltd for a patient information video on induction of labour, payment from Canon Ultrasound for a lecture on the Evaluation of NHS England Saving Babies Lives Care Bundle, as well as medicolegal expert witness work relating to stillbirth. He has also acted as medical advisor for Count the Kicks and the Star Legacy Foundation.