Analysis of fetal movements by Doppler actocardiogram and fetal B-mode imaging

With advances in instrumentation, evaluation of fetal heart rate tracings can be combined with B-mode imaging to assess fetal activity and Doppler evaluation of cardiac activity. These additional approaches will allow investigation into the fetal active and resting states, as well as the fetal responses to acoustic and visual stimuli. Fetal motion analysis also demonstrates the scarce activity early in fetal life; fetal activity increases and movements become quicker at later gestation. Evaluation of fetal movements in addition to routine biophysical monitoring of fetal heart rate appears to be an attractive tool in the surveillance of fetal well-being.