Pregnant women and their partners' views and experiences of reduced fetal movements: a narrative literature review

Abstract

Background/Aims Globally, 2 million stillbirths occur annually, 98% of which occur in low-income settings. In low-income settings, stillbirth may be associated with maternal perception of reduced fetal movements. However, little is known about maternal experiences of reduced fetal movements and subsequent engagement with health services in low-income settings. This narrative literature review initially aimed to improve understanding of views and experiences of reduced fetal movements in pregnant women in low-income settings using information synthesised from international studies. However, only a small number of articles from low-resource settings were found. Methods The literature reviewed qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method studies guided by a systematic approach. The findings were discussed narratively. Results A total of 40 studies were identified, only four of which were from low-income settings. The four main themes identified were: maternal perception of fetal movements, facilitators and barriers to seeking healthcare, reduced fetal movements as a predictor of fetal outcomes and knowledge of fetal movements and management strategies. Conclusions A variety of factors may influence maternal perception of reduced fetal movements and experience of care. As most studies were conducted in high-income settings, it is imperative to describe women's experiences of reduced fetal movements in low-income settings.