[Maternal knowledge of fetal movements in late pregnancy]

Abstract

Objectives: Evaluate knowledge of patients with late pregnancy on active foetal movements.

Patients and method: This prospective study has been carried out with volontary patients during the 41-week of gestation term consultation, with a questionnaire, at the obstetric gynecology departments of St-Etienne Hospital (CHU), Clermont-Ferrand Hospital (CHU), Roanne Hospital (CH) and Firminy Hospital (CH), from July 22nd, 2013 to September 14th, 2014.

Results: Few patients (17%) have been seen urgently by an obstetrician or a midwife in case of a decrease of the active foetal movements. Most patients (73.6%) wait 24hours to consult. More than 50% of women have not been informed on this topic before the birth. However, 86.84% of the patients are interested in being informed when they see their doctor. The easiest way would be to count the active foetal movements 3 times a day on a short period.

Conclusion: There is still a lack of information on the active foetal movements. It remains a difficult topic because its definition is still subjective and the information has no protocol.

Keywords: Active foetal movements; Connaissances des femmes enceintes; Grossesse prolongée; Knowledge of pregnant women; Late pregnancy; Mouvements actifs fœtaux.