Mothers' knowledge of foetal movements monitoring during pregnancy in relation to perinatal outcome

• Published in: Health SA = SA Gesondheid Vol. 11; no. 2; pp. 13 - 22
• Main Authors: Mothiba, M.T., Maputle, M.S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Johannesburg 10.11.2006
• Subjects: Foetal movements monitoring; Knowledge; Perinatal outcome
• ISSN: 1025-9848; 2071-9736
• DOI: 10.4102/hsag.v11i2.219

Oor die jare is moederlike waarneming van fetale beweging erken as 'n belangrike instrument in die vroeë identifisering van fetale nood. Fetale beweging is 'n betroubare teken van fetale welsyn (Bennett & Brown, 1999:232). Ten spyte daarvan dat dit 'n nuttige metode is om fetale welsyn klinies te monitor, word die kliniese monitering van foetale beweging te min in hoë risiko-swangerskap gebruik (Nolte, 1998:100). Die doel van dié studie was om die kennisvlakke van swanger moeders te bepaal omtrent die monitering van fetale beweging en die effek daarvan op perinatale uitkoms. Die bevindinge van die studie sal gebruik word om die inhoud van 'n gesondheidsontwikkelingsprogram te ontwikkel wat op swanger moeders gerig is. 'n Kwantitatiewe navorsingstudie om die inligting van die swanger moeders te verkry is gebruik. Eenvoudige waarskynlikheids steekproefneming is gebruik. Sewe-en-negentig (97) swanger moeders het ingestem om aan die studie deel te neem. Die resultate het aangedui dat swanger moeders vir wie dit moontlik was om fetale beweging waar te neem tydens swangerskap, dit as belangrik beskou het. Daar het egter beperkte inligting omtrent die belangrikheid van die monitering van fetale bewegings in verhouding tot perinatale uitkoms na vore gekom. 'n Inligtings- en opleidingsprogram vir swanger moeders met betrekking tot die monitering van fetale beweging is aanbeveel. End Over the years, maternal perception of foetal movement has become recognised as a valuable tool for early detection of foetal compromise. Foetal movement is a reliable sign of foetal well-being (Bennett & Brown, 1999:232). Despite being a useful method in attaining clinical foetal monitoring, foetal movement is probably under-utilised, especially in high-risk pregnancy (Nolte, 1998:100). The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge pregnant mothers have on the monitoring of foetal movement and its effect on perinatal outcome. The findings of the study were used to develop the content of a health education programme that is contextual and relevant to the needs of pregnant mothers. A quantitative research survey design was used to obtain information from pregnant mothers. Simple random probability sampling was used. Ninety-seven (97) pregnant mothers agreed to participate in the study. The results indicated that pregnant women who were able to perceive foetal movement during pregnancy regarded it as important. However, limited information on the importance of foetal movement monitoring in relation to perinatal outcome was displayed. Content on contextual health education for mothers on foetal movement monitoring was proposed. End