Alterations in maternally perceived fetal movement and computerized cardiotocography parameters: what's the link? A multicentre pilot study on Fetal Health.

Objective Maternal perception of the fetal movement (FM) is an indirect indicator of fetal well-being. The aim was to investigate the relationship between computerized cardiotocography (cCTG) and maternal perception of FM. Methods We conducted a multicentric prospective observational study, including two tertiary referral hospitals. After cCTG, all women completed a questionnaire regarding the maternal FM and fetal hiccups perception. The primary outcome was the relation between integrate multiple cCTG parameters and maternal perceptions of FM. Results We included 419 patients. Women reporting two times less FM from 26 weeks of pregnancy, had a high long-term variability (p = 0.032). Increased FM frequency perception in the last two weeks had and increased number of accelerations (p = 0.0099). The Dawson–Redman criteria need more time to be satisfied in pregnant with no hiccup perception (p = 0.0063). No other statistical correlation were found. Conclusions This pilot multicenter study found that cCTG-assessed fetal well-being was associated with more frequent FM and the presence of fetal hiccups. In future phases, this research will integrate the maternal FM perception, cCTG, prenatal ultrasound, and the neonatal outcomes to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the subjective evaluation of the maternal perception of FM.