Main findings
This mixed-method study showed that women and their healthcare providers in a low-resource setting have high awareness of maternal perception of fetal movements. Pregnant women instinctively knew the unique normal and abnormal patterns of their baby’s movements, both in the antepartum and intrapartum period more than assumed by their health providers. However, there was a lack of acquired knowledge and guidance of maternal perception of FMs and how to use this information by both women and staff alike for routine fetal surveillance and management. This led to unexpressed concerns, delayed presentation with reduced FMs and missed opportunities to save lives.