The predictive value of fetal breathing movements in the outcome of premature labour.

Fetal breathing movements (FBM) were assessed in 28 pregnant women, presenting with uterine contractions before 34 weeks gestation. External tocometry was used to determine uterine contractions objectively. The first group consisted of 17 patients, treated by tocolytics after the ultrasound scanning showed absence of FBM. The second group comprised 11 patients with FBM present, who were observed only. In the first group nine women were delivered within 1 week, whereas in the second group no patient was delivered in that period, all of them being discharged. In patients with premature contractions the presence of FBM seems to indicate that the pregnancy will continue while absence of FBM foreshadows early delivery.