Detection and Quantification of General Fetal Movements from Accelerometer Measurements using Nonstationary Signal Processing Techniques (2010-2012)

Monitoring fetal wellbeing is a compelling problem in modern obstetrics. Clinicians have become increasingly aware of the link between fetal activity (movement), well-being, and later developmental outcome. The aim of monitoring is to recognise pathological conditions with sufficient warning to enable intervention before irreversible damage occurs. We have developed an accelerometer-based data acquisition ambulatory system. The objective of this project is to apply innovative advanced signal processing methods to automatically detect and quantitatively characterise fetal movements. The system will represent an important advance in fetal monitoring with the potential to detect the compromised fetus at risk of disability or stillbirth.