Vibroacoustic stimulation and fetal behavioral state in normal term human pregnancy

Article Abstract:

An artificial larynx has been used to provide vibroacoustic (sound and vibratory) stimulation to the human fetus as a way to improve antepartum (predelivery) fetal assessment. Information obtained with this method, such as increased fetal heart rate (FHR), has been as reliable as that obtained by other techniques of nonstress testing. Other changes in fetal behavior, including breathing and movement, have been observed as well, suggesting that the entire behavioral state of the fetus may be altered following vibroacoustic stimulation. This possibility was evaluated in 30 patients with uncomplicated pregnancies. Behavioral states were graded from one to four, with state one characterized by stable heart rate and rare eye, breathing, and body movements. These increased during stages until state four, characterized by unstable or accelerating heart rate, and continuous body, breathing, and eye movements. Thirteen percent of infants were in state one initially, and following vibroacoustic stimulation consistently changed to stage four, while the seven percent of infants in state four remained in that stage following stimulation. Fifty-seven percent of infants were in state two, and although their responses were less consistent, two thirds changed to state four. No fetus was in state three before or after stimulation. The varied responses of fetuses depending on initial stage suggests that vibroacoustic stimulation may not provide consistent conclusions and may not provide a comprehensive evaluation of fetal state. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Usage, Ultrasound imaging, Testing, Fetal heart rate monitoring, Electronic fetal monitoring

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The effects of vibroacoustic stimulation on baseline heart rate, breathing activity, and body movements of normal term fetuses

Article Abstract:

The biophysical effect that sound and vibrations have on the fetus inside the uterus was examined in 20 normal fetuses. One group of fetuses were stimulated artificially by an electronic device placed on the mother's abdomen. Each fetus was monitored for three hours and the data obtained was analyzed every 15 minutes. It was found that in the group stimulated by sound and vibration, the fetuses' basic heart rates and variations were increased and breathing fell during the first 15 minutes. These effects were temporary and short and did not last beyond 15 minutes after stimulation. More studies are needed to correlate the degree of fetal well-being with heart rate and body movements before vibroacoustic fetal stimulation can be considered a useful diagnostic tool.

Research, Electric stimulation, Vibration, Vibration (Physics), Electro-acoustics, Electroacoustics

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Maternal caffeine consumption and fetal behavior in normal third-trimester pregnancy

Article Abstract:

Maternal consumption of increased levels of caffeine during the third trimester of pregnancy may affect intrauterine fetal behavior. Caffeine easily crosses the placenta and may stimulate fetal respiratory activity. Among 20 healthy women in the third trimester of a normal pregnancy, 10 consumed high levels and 10 consumed low levels of caffeine. Women who consumed high levels of caffeine ingested more than 500 milligrams (mg) per day, and those who consumed low levels ingested less than 200 mg per day. Fetuses whose mothers consumed high levels of caffeine spent less time in active sleep and significantly more time in arousal than those whose mothers consumed low levels. The time spent by the fetus in quiet sleep was similar for both groups.

Behavior, Food and nutrition, Pregnant women, Caffeine

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