DOPPLER MOVEMENT DETECTION AS A POTENTIAL SCREENING TOOL FOR MATERNALSENSITIVITY TO FETAL MOVEMENT

Objective: To compare maternal perception of fetal movement to Doppler ultrasound detection of fetal movement and time-synchronized independ ent real-time observations of fetal movement. Methods: 101 patients be tween 29 and 40 weeks had fetal movements imaged and recorded on video tape. Expert fetal movement files were created by a single research nu rse who reviewed the recorded videotapes and scored the movement. Thes e time-synchronized files allowed for second-per-second comparison of fetal movement. Results: Maternal sensitivities ranged from 0 to 100%. Mothers perceived longer, stronger movements (>94% at 7 s) as detecte d by the Doppler movement system. A significant correlation was found between the maternal sensitivity by real-time ultrasound and maternal sensitivity to Doppler detection (Pearson coefficient R = 0.869). Conc lusions: Maternal perception of Doppler movement correlated well with maternal perception of real-time ultrasound movement. Doppler detectio n of fetal movement may prove to be a useful screen device for determi ning maternal perception sensitivity.