Implications for practice and research

• ■ Maternal perception of an active fetus and fetal hiccups is associated with reduced likelihood of late stillbirth.

• ■ A sudden change in maternally perceived fetal activity, particularly reduced fetal movements (RFM), is associated with late stillbirth and women should be encouraged to seek advice if this occurs.

• ■ Research is needed to examine the possible link between a single period of vigorous fetal activity and risk of late stillbirth.

• ■ The relationship between fetal hiccups, fetal breathing movements and their loss in compromised fetuses merits deeper exploration.

Context

There has been no reduction in …