[Fetal breathing movements and onset of delivery at term]

It has been studied the relation between fetal breathing activity and labor among 216 patients in uncomplicated pregnancies at term. It has been also described the value of fetal breathing movements in the evaluation of fetal well-being. Among patients where fetal breathing movements were absent 81.9% women delivered within 3 days since ultrasonographic examination. And among patients with visible fetal breathing activity only 25.0% delivered within this period. The analysis of newborn condition based on Apgar score in pregnant women with or without fetal breathing movements showed no significant statistical differences. The absence of fetal breathing movements has no prognostic value concerning the evaluation of fetal well-being in antepartum period. The cessation of fetal breathing activity facilitates to prognose the time of labor in mature pregnancies.