title: How pregnant women learn about foetal movements: sources and preferences for information.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Unexplained late gestation stillbirth is a significant health issue. Antenatal information about foetal movements has been demonstrated to reduce the stillbirth rate in women with decreased foetal movements. Midwives are ideally placed to provide this information to women.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate pregnant women's perceptions of information about foetal movements and preferences for receiving information.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective, descriptive study was conducted in the antenatal clinic of a large metropolitan maternity hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pregnant women (n=526) at 34 weeks gestation or later were recruited. Only 67% of women reported receiving information about foetal movements. Women reported that midwives (80%), family (57%), friends (48%) and own mother (48%) provided this information. Midwives were the most preferred source of information. Around half (52%) of the women used the internet for information but only 11% nominated the web as their preferred information source.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women prefer to be given as much information about foetal movements as possible. Women favour information from health professionals, mainly from a midwife. Midwives are well-placed to partner with pregnant women and give them unbiased and evidenced based information enabling them to make decisions and choices regarding their health and well-being. While the internet is a prevalent information source, women want to be reassured that it is trustworthy and want direction to reliable pregnancy related websites.
authors.affiliation: Griffith Health Institute, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Griffith University, University Drive, Meadowbank, Queensland 4131, Australia; Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Aubigny Place, Mater Health Services, Raymond Tce, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia. Electronic address: annie.mcardle@mater.org.au.
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McArdle
authors.affiliation: Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Aubigny Place, Mater Health Services, Raymond Tce, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia. Electronic address: vicki.flenady@mater.uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Vicki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Flenady
authors.affiliation: Griffith Health Institute, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Griffith University, University Drive, Meadowbank, Queensland 4131, Australia. Electronic address: J.Toohill@griffith.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jocelyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Toohill
authors.affiliation: Griffith Health Institute, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Griffith University, University Drive, Meadowbank, Queensland 4131, Australia. Electronic address: J.Gamble@griffith.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gamble
authors.affiliation: Griffith Health Institute, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Griffith University, University Drive, Meadowbank, Queensland 4131, Australia. Electronic address: D.Creedy@griffith.edu.au.
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Creedy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005324:Fetal Movement; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008880:Midwifery; D009035:Mothers; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010465:Perception; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Antenatal care; Antenatal education; Foetal movement; Maternal knowledge; Stillbirth