Reduced fetal movements

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has published guidance on what health professionals should do if a mother reports to her midwife or GP that her baby’s movements have changed or slowed down. Currently maternity units tend to develop their own individual guidelines in response to mothers who report reduced fetal movements (RFM), so the RCOG guidance come as a useful tool to standardise responses from all units across the country. The RCOG is responsible for the education, training and development of guidelines in obstetrics and gynaecology.

While the majority of women who experience RFM go on to have healthy babies, it’s also the case that many stillbirths and early neonatal deaths are preceded by a mother noticing that her baby’s movements have changed or slowed down.

For more information on the RCOG guidelines please go to www.rcog.org.uk/womens-health/clinical-guidance/reduced-fetal-movements-green-top-57.

For information on our advice for mothers-to-be in response to their own concerns about their baby’s movements, please go to: Monitoring your baby’s movements