The Diagnostic Value of Two Methods of Fetal Movements Counting by Mother in Clients of Al –Zahra Educational Curative Center, Tabriz, 2011.

Abstract

Abstract: Background & Aim: Fetal movement counting is a method that used by the mother to quantify her baby's movements. However, the optimal number of movements and ideal duration of counting them have not been recognized. The aim of this study was determine of diagnostic value of two common fetal movements counting methods by mother including: ten fetal movements in two hours and three fetal movements in one hour in detection of decreased fetal movements. Methods and Materials: This cross –sectional study included 300 singleton pregnant women with gestational age 32-40 weeks that were selected randomly among mothers with complaint of decreased fetal movements referred to Al- Zahra educational curative center, Tabriz and had inclusion criteria. In order to avoid of bias which of two methods of fetal movements counting performed by mothers in the first, samples randomly divided in two groups with six blocks. Then about how to perform of two methods of fetal movement counting and recorded in related charts instructed by researcher in face to face. Immediately after finishing performance of two methods, mother was referred to ultrasound unit in order to performance of the biophysical profile and then three test results were compared with each other. Results: A total of 300 samples mother, 98 percent according to the results of both two tests of fetal movement counting including ten fetal movements in two hours and three fetal movements in one hour were active and 96.6 percent of these active fetuses obtained 10 of 10 from biophysical e profile score. Results showed a significant relationship between results of two methods of fetal movements counting with the gold standard of biophysical profile. Also, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of both two methods of fetal movements counting was equal together and respectively 100, 37.5, 96.59 and 100 percent. Conclusion: Results from this study showed that both two methods of fetal movements counting including ten fetal movements in two hours and three fetal movements in one hour are initial appropriate screening tests for assessing fetal status with general accuracy of 96.66 percent. So, where fetal monitoring device is not available, counting fetal movements can be used as an easy, primary and noninvasive screening method in the assessment of fetal health.