This is a non-invasive method of monitoring the well-being of the fetus in utero. It has been observed that when something is wrong with the fetus. This is because the baby is conserving needed energy for vital functions in a weakened state.

However, the quality of fetal motions usually changes from small sharp movements to larger, smoother movements as space in the uterus is taken up in late pregnancy. You and your midwife will be checking to see if there is an overall reduction of your baby's NORMAL pattern of movement. In many cases this is a sign that the baby needs to be born soon.

---

USING THE ASSESSMENT CHART

Counting every move your baby makes is not very practical, so select a time during the day when you can count fetal movements for six consecutive hours. It is best to use the same hours every day. Do not select a time when the baby seems to sleep regularly.

You will begin by counting the first 5 movements in the six hour period. Mark the time you feel the fifth movement in the appropriate time block on your chart. If fewer than 5 movements are felt, note how many you detected in the space below the time slots. Should the baby have periods of constant movement, count one movement for each full minute of activity. Here is an example of how to use the chart:

1. Hours you choose to count movements (you may engage in any normal activity which will still allows awareness of fetal motion). Write in times in 1/2 intervals. This mother started counting at 9 am. Monday she felt the 5th movement at 11:15 am, so she marks the 11:30 am block on her chart. On Tuesday she felt the 5th movement at 12:30 am. Wednesday she did not feel 5 movements in the 6 hour period, she marks the "4" box in Wednesday's space. On Thursday, she felt 5 movements by 1:30 pm. 2. Notes on special situations or sensations are recorded here. NOTE: If less than 5 movements are felt in your counting period for any two days in a week, call your midwife immediately.

Example of blank charts to be used for assessments:





ASSESSMENT OF FETAL MOVEMENT

This test goes hand-in-hand with assessment of fetal motion. It has been found that a healthy baby will respond to activity by raising its' heart rate, and lowering it when at rest. (Just as an adult heart will speed up and slow down with activity and rest.)

The test is often used in hospitals before the much more stressful Oxytocin Challenge test. In the hospital, the mother is hooked up to a monitor and asked to indicate when she feels the fetal motion. The heart rate is expected to vary anywhere from 10 to 25 heartbeats per minute and accelerate with movement in a normal, healthy fetus. Lack of such variability has been correlated with high incidence of fetal mortality when observed prenatally. This pattern, when observed during labor, has not been clearly associated with infant outcome, although variability should still be present (but not necessarily associated with movement).

This test can be duplicated at home by simply monitoring the baby with a standard fetascope and being sensitive to when the baby moves. If the baby is not moving (it could be asleep!) palpate until you get a response and continue to listen for heart rate fluctuations. In order to easily assess variability, count the fetal heart rate for consecutive 5 second intervals. Comparing the several numbers that you will come up with will give you a good idea of how the baby is doing and what the range of heart rate is. Multiply each 5 second count by 12 to arrive at the per minute equivalent.

The fetal heart rate is expected to vary at least 15 beats per minute for 15 to 30 seconds twice or more in a 10 minute period or five times or more in a 20 minute period. This frequency reflects fetal health.

---

MoonDragon's Pregnancy Information: Pregnancy & Birth Concerns

MoonDragon's Pregnancy Information: Pregnancy Information & Survival Tips

MoonDragon's Pregnancy Information: Fetal Movement & Activity Tests

MDBS Birthing Guidelines: Vaginal Bleeding & Miscarriage

This information obtained from Understanding Lab Work in the Childbearing Year by Anne Frye

---

PREGNANCY RELATED LINKS

MoonDragon's Pregnancy Information & Survival Tips

MoonDragon's Pregnancy Information Index

MoonDragon's Pediatric Information Index

MoonDragon's Parenting Information Index

MoonDragon's Nutrition Information Index

---

HERBS, OILS, & SUPPLIES

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Manufacturers & Distributors

See all our merchant banners below for products, remedies and supplements recommended on this web site.

HELPFUL PRODUCTS & FURTHER EDUCATION Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements -- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 2nd Edition Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements -- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 4th Edition Prescription for Herbal Healing: The A-To-Z Reference To Common Disorders -- by Phyllis A. Balch The Complete Guide to Natural Healing This is only a small sample of educational materials and products available through Amazon.com. Use the search box provided below to search for a particular item. If you see a suggested Amazon product "not there" as indicated by an orange box with the Amazon logo, this only means the specific product link has been changed by Amazon.com. Use the "click here" icon on the orange box and it will bring you to Amazon.com and you can do a search for a specific product using keywords and a new list of available products and prices will show. Their product and resource links are constantly changing and being upgraded. Many times there are more than one link to a specific product. Prices will vary between product distributors so it pays to shop around and do price comparisons. Educational materials and health products are available through Amazon.com. Use the search box provided below to search for a particular item.

For a full list of available products from Mountain Rose Herbs, click on banner below:
Mountain Rose Bulk Herbs
Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs A Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs B Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs C Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs D Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs E Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs F Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs G Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs H Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs I Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs J Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs K Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs L	Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs M Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs N Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs O Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs P Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs R Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs S Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs T Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs U Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs V Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs W Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs Y

Mountain Rose Aromatherapy Oils

Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils A-B Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils C-E Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils F-L Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils M-P Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils Q-Z Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils: Oil Blends & Resins Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils: Diffusers, Nebulizers, & Burners Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils: Oil Kits

Mountain Rose Herbs.com: Order Online
Accessories & Tools Aroma Sprays & Flower Waters Body & Bath Bulk Herbs Bulk Ingredients Bulk Oils Butters Capsules Clays Essential Oils	Facial Care Hair Care Herbal Extracts Herbal Oils Herbal Salves & Balms Herbal Teas Herbs For Pets Incense, Resins & Candles Massage Oils Medicinal Herb Seeds Tea Brewing Supplies

---

MoonDragon's Nutrition Information Index

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Nutrition Basics Index

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Therapy Index

MoonDragon's Nutrition Therapy Index

MoonDragon's Alternative Health Information Index

MoonDragon's Aromatherapy Information Index

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness Index

MoonDragon's ObGyn Womens Health Information Index by Subject Order

MoonDragon's ObGyn Womens Health Information Index by Alphabetical Order

MoonDragon's Main Indexlisting

MoonDragon's Home Page