European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: Decreased fetal movements perceived by the mother in pregnancy can cause apprehension and  increased incidence of unscheduled antenatal check-up and labour room admission. Decreased fetal movements  are  associated with a wide variety of intra-partum and postpartum complications.Aims And  Objectives: To identify the demographic and pregnancy characteristics, obstetric and neonatal outcome among women presenting to hospital with reduced fetal movements.Materials And Methods: A prospective observational study conducted among 150 term antenatal women who attended the labour room of Obstetrics department, Government Medical College, Thrissur with complaints of DFM from January 2020 to December 2020.These women were categorized into 2 groups after evaluation-immediate termination group and conservatively managed group (reassured and delivered later).Obstetric and neonatal outcomes were studied.Results:. 5 women had intrauterine demise at the time of presentation.58.6% of women with DFM  required immediate termination of pregnancy out of which 57.2% of cases were induced. A highly significant  association between intra-partum CTG and perinatal complications were noted.Caesarean sections and  instrumental deliveries were more in immediate termination group when compared to latter group. Perinatal complications(RDS at birth, APGAR scores, resuscitation and HIE) were more in immediately terminated group compared to latter group which was statistically  significant. There was increased risk of RDS at birth as the number of DFM increases which was statistically significant.Conclusion: Maternal perception of DFM should receive adequate medical attention and can be used as a predictor of adverse obstetric and neonatal outcome. DFM result in increased rate of planned early delivery, induction of labour and caesarean sections. Unless intervened, these cases of DFM would have ended up in still births. Universally accepted evidence based guideline needs to be developed enabling optimal management of cases of DFM