Maternal Perception and Antenatal Advice regarding Fetal Movements in Al-Gharbyia Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Maternal perception of fetal movements is a universally implemented self – screening tool, administered and interpreted individually by all pregnant women, with or without guidance from health care professionals. Aim: This study aimed to determine the maternal perception and antenatal advice regarding fetal movements in Al-Gharbyia Governorate, Egypt. Subjects and Method: This study followed a descriptive design. The study was carried out at three Maternal and Child Health Centers affiliated to the different available geographical health zones at Tanta City. The subjects of the study consisted of 300 pregnant women who were selected from the previously mentioned settings. The tool: A structured interview questionnaire sheet was designed to collect the required data, which is comprised of five parts. Part (1) Sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric history, and attendance of antenatal care. Part (2) Maternal perception of fetal movement. Part (3) Knowledge about fetal movement. Part (4) The action that should be taken in case of unusual fetal movement. Part (5) Sources of information about fetal movement and fetal movement advice received during antenatal care. Results: The results indicated that more than two-thirds of the studied women felt that it is easy to feel fetal movement, and most of the studied women had a positive response to baby's first movement. Also, most of the studied women were concerned about fetal movement, and 29% of them perceive fetal movement best in the early morning. Very limited knowledge was displayed on the number of fetal movements experienced per hour by 5.7% of the studied women and one-quarter of them knew that it is not normal to experience fewer than 3 movements in 8 hours. Conclusion: One-quarter of the studied women exhibited poor knowledge regarding fetal movement, most of them made the wrong action in case of unusual fetal movements, and more than two-thirds of them did not receive any advice about fetal movements during routine antenatal care. Recommendations: increase maternal awareness about fetal movements and the action that should be taken in case of unusual fetal movements through antenatal classes, pamphlet and mass media particularly during antenatal care