Compliance with a fetal movement chart by high-risk obstetric patients in a Peruvian hospital

Abstract

We sought to determine the degree of compliance with a novel fetal movement chart (FMC) by high-risk patients versus the standard so-called count-to-10 method. This prospective trial included 1400 high-risk patients. Women with singleton gestations were randomly assigned to use either the count-to-10 chart or a FMC proposed by the Latin American Center for Perinatology (CLAP). Advantages and disadvantages were identified by patients. Compliance with regimens was measured and compared between the two groups. Demographic characteristics were similar. Compliance in the CLAP group (448 of 700) was lower than in the count-to-10 group (638 of 700; 64 versus 91%; P < 0.0001). The main advantage of the count-to-10 chart was lack of interference with daily activities. No intrauterine demises occurred in either group. High-risk patients were more compliant with the standard count-to-10 charting method than with the novel FMC. The count-to-10 method is an easy and inexpensive tool for fetal monitoring and should continue to be used in obstetric practice.