Evaluation of maternal perception of sound-provoked fetal movement as a test of antenatal fetal health

Maternal perception of sound-provoked fetal movement was correlated with the results of nonstress cardiotocography in 1097 women with obstetric or medical antenatal risk factors. Ninety-two percent of the mothers felt fetal movements with the stimulus; all but three had a reactive non-stress test (NST). These three women were taking multiple antihypertensive drugs and were less than 33 weeks' gestation. Of 88 patients with no maternal perception of sound-provoked fetal movement, ten had nonreactive NSTs. Ultrasound confirmed the absence of fetal movement to the stimulus. The outcome in nine of these ten cases suggested some evidence of fetal compromise. Maternal perception of sound-provoked fetal movement correlated well with the results of the NST; the sensitivity (76.9%), specificity (92.8%), and negative predictive value (99.7%) were all high, although the positive predictive value was only 11.4%. Maternal perception of sound-provoked fetal movement may suffice as an inexpensive and simple method of evaluating antenatal fetal well-being in risk situations. When the mother is doubtful or does not feel the sound-provoked fetal movement, NST is indicated to evaluate the fetal health.