title: Fetal movement counting--maternal concern and experiences: a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fetal movement counting may improve timely identification of decreased fetal activity and thereby contribute to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes, but it may also contribute to maternal concern. This study aimed to test whether fetal movement counting increased maternal concern.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a multicenter, controlled trial 1,013 women with a singleton pregnancy were randomly assigned either to perform daily fetal movement counting from pregnancy week 28 or to follow standard Norwegian antenatal care where fetal movement counting is not encouraged. The primary outcome was maternal concern, measured by the Cambridge Worry Scale. Analysis was by intention-to-treat.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The means and SDs on Cambridge Worry Scale scores were 0.77 (0.55) and 0.90 (0.62) for the intervention and the control groups, respectively, a mean difference between the groups of 0.14 (95% CI: 0.06-0.21, p<0.001). Decreased fetal activity was of concern to 433 women once or more during pregnancy, 45 and 42 percent in the intervention and control groups, respectively (relative risk=1.1, 95% CI: 0.9-1.2). Seventy-nine percent of the women responded favorably to the use of counting charts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women who performed fetal movement counting in the third trimester reported less concern than those in the control group. The frequency of maternal report of concern about decreased fetal activity was similar between the groups. Most women considered the use of a counting chart to be positive.
authors.affiliation: AkershusUniversity College, PB 423, N-2001 Lillestrøm, Norway.
authors.forename: Eli
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Saastad
authors.forename: Brita A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Winje
authors.forename: Pravin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Israel
authors.forename: J Frederik
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Frøen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005324:Fetal Movement; D006801:Humans; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D009664:Norway; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third / Q000523:psychology*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales