title: Observations of intrapartum fetal activities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this observational study was to document the frequency of biophysical activities such as breathing and body movements during spontaneous labor in the low-risk, term fetus.
  
  
  METHODS
  The fetuses of truly low-risk patients without medication during labor were observed serially with real-time ultrasonography for fetal breathing or body movements for a maximum scanning time of 1 hour. Fetal breathing movements, hiccups, and fetal body movements were recorded, as were cervical dilatation, status of the fetal membranes, and Apgar scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fetal breathing activity was recorded in 76% of fetuses in early labor and 90% in advanced labor. Fetal body movements were present during 85% of the observations. All babies had 5-minute Apgar scores > 7.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasonographic evaluation of fetal breathing and body movements during spontaneous labor was associated with normal birth outcome in this low-risk population. The clinical utility of this noninvasive method in determining intrapartum fetal health remains to be tested in an unselected population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, St. Boniface General Hospital, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ash
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Manning
mesh_terms: D001034:Apgar Score; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005324:Fetal Movement; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012119:Respiration; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal