Decreased fetal movements: Report from the International Stillbirth Alliance conference workshop

Maternal reports of decreased fetal movement (DFM) are a common reason to present to maternity care and are associated with stillbirth and other adverse outcomes. Promoting awareness of fetal movements and prompt assessment of DFM has been recommended to reduce stillbirths. However, evidence to guide clinical management of such presentations is limited. Educational approaches to increasing awareness of fetal movements in pregnant women and maternity care providers with the aim of reducing stillbirths have recently been evaluated in a several large clinical trials internationally. The International Stillbirth Alliance Virtual Conference in Sydney 2021 provided an opportunity for international experts in fetal movements to share reports on the findings of fetal movement awareness trials, consider evidence for biological mechanisms linking DFM and fetal death, appraise approaches to clinical assessment of DFM, and highlight research priorities in this area. Following this workshop summaries of the sessions prepared by the authors provide an overview of understandings of fetal movements in maternity care at the current time and highlights future directions in fetal movement research. This conference workshop report provides an overview of contemporary understandings of decreased fetal movements in maternity care highlighting future directions in fetal movement research.

Automated summary

Maternal reports of decreased fetal movement (DFM) are a common reason for seeking maternity care, and they are associated with stillbirth and other adverse outcomes. However, there is limited evidence to guide clinical management of such presentations. Recent large clinical trials have evaluated educational approaches to increase awareness of fetal movements in pregnant women and maternity care providers with the aim of reducing stillbirths. The International Stillbirth Alliance Virtual Conference provided a platform for international experts to share the findings of fetal movement awareness trials, discuss the biological mechanisms linking DFM and fetal death, evaluate approaches to clinical assessment of DFM, and highlight research priorities in this area.