Association of gestational weeks, initial maternal perception of fetal movement, and individual interoceptive differences

Abstract

Abstract The gestational week when the mother first becomes aware of fetal movement varies with unknown factors causing them. Interoception refers to the conscious awareness of homeostasis in the body. Considering that awareness of fetal movement is a part of interoception in pregnant women, the variation in the timing of initial detection of fetal movement may reflect individual interoceptive differences. This study aimed to clarify the association between the gestational week at the first awareness of fetal movements and interoception in pregnant women. We found a significant association between the gestational week at the first fetal movement awareness and interoception as measured by performing the heartbeat counting task.