Influence of maternal heart rate and gross fetal body movements on the daily pattern of fetal heart rate near term.
Continuous measurements of fetal heart rate (FHR), gross fetal body movements, fetal breathing movements, and maternal heart rate (MHR) were made for 24-hour observation intervals in 11 pregnant women at 38 to 40 weeks. There was a significant positive correlation between each mother's daily mean MHR and her fetus' daily mean FHR. There was a trough in mean hourly FHR between 0200 and 0600 hours and a trough in mean hourly MHR between 2400 and 0700 hours. Mean hourly FHR both during and between times of gross fetal body movements was significantly correlated to mean hourly MHR. At term, the mean FHR is strongly influenced by the mean MHR and the presence or absence of gross fetal body movements.
D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000502:physiology; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D009068:Movement; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D012119:Respiration