Abstract
Background
Maternal perception of decreased fetal movement has clinical significance as a predictor
of pregnancies at risk of adverse outcomes, including stillbirth. Increasingly, women
are using mobile applications (“apps”) to access information during the antenatal
period. Little is known about how apps intended for use during pregnancy guide women
to address fetal movement concerns.
Objective
To explore information about decreased fetal movement provided through mobile apps
intended for use during pregnancy.
Methods
A systematic review framework was applied to the search, screening, and assessment
of mobile apps. A sample of apps were downloaded in December 2016 that met inclusion
criteria for accessibility, reach, relevance and quality. Data extraction was performed
independently by two reviewers in January 2017. A quantitative and qualitative approach
was taken to analyse data and present results.
Findings
All 24 apps in the sample mentioned decreased fetal movement, but few explicitly link
decreased fetal movement to stillbirth or other specific adverse outcomes. There is
substantial variability in guidance for fetal movement monitoring. One-quarter of
apps recommend consumption of food or drink to stimulate fetal movement, two-thirds
of apps recommend “kick counting”, and one-third offer a kick “counter”.
Conclusion
This review is the first to assess information about decreased fetal movement available
in mobile apps intended for download by pregnant women. Across the sample, this review
identifies a lack of evidence-based clinical advice to guide women experiencing decreased
fetal movement. As an antenatal education tool used by millions of women, accurate
content about fetal movement is essential.
Abbreviations:
Apps (Mobile applications), DFM (Decreased fetal movement), iOS (A mobile operating system created and developed by Apple Inc. exclusively for its hardware), NHMRC (National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia)), PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses), PSANZ (Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand)Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 20, 2018
Accepted:
July 27,
2018
Received in revised form:
July 27,
2018
Received:
June 15,
2018
Identification
Copyright
© 2018 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
