Fetal activity following stimulation of the mother's abdomen, feet, and hands.

Fetal activity during midgestation (M age=19.8 weeks) was studied in response to vibratory stimulation of the mother's abdomen (at the height of the fetal head), foot massage, hand massage, or control condition (no stimulation). Consistent with previous research conducted during midgestation, the fetuses of mothers who received two trials of 3-sec, 60-Hz vibratory stimulation did not show changes in movement.

Fetal responsiveness to maternal passive swinging in low heart rate variability state: effects of stimulation direction and duration.

Pregnant women, carrying end of gestation fetuses (38-41 weeks gestational age) were either gently rocked in an anterior posterior plane in a rocking chair or gently swayed laterally in a garden glider. Stimulation lasted for either 5 or 26 s (R5 & R26, SW5 & SW26). Fetal heart rate (HR) (bpm) and ultrasonically detected fetal movements were recorded 26 s before and during stimulation.