Effect of maternal ethanol ingestion on fetal breathing movements, gross body movements, and heart rate at 37 to 40 weeks' gestational age.

The effect of maternal ingestion of ethanol (0.25 gm/kg) on fetal breathing movements, gross fetal body movements, and fetal heart rate was studied in 11 healthy pregnant women at 37 to 40 weeks' gestation. Fetal breathing movements were almost abolished within 30 minutes of the alcoholic drink and remained significantly decreased for 3 hours. The incidence of gross fetal body movements before or after ethanol was not different from that on the control day, and the fetal heart rate was not changed after maternal ingestion of ethanol.