Raziyeh Mosayebnezhad - Midwifery student (MSc), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Maryam Niknami - Department of Midwifery, instructor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences,Rasht, Iran
Sedigheh Rakseresht - Social Determinants of Health Research Center (SDHRC), Reproductive Health Research Center, Department ofObstetrics, Associate Professor, Women Health Promotion, Community Health (PhD), School of Nursing andMidwifery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences

Background and Aim : To compare the accuracy of clinical methods and ultrasonography of estimationof fetal weight (EFW) with actual birth weight (ABW) in term pregnant women.Methods : This is a diagnostic test evaluation study that was performed on 247 single-term pregnant womenwho were admitted to the Al-Zahra Hospital in Iran, Rasht for vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery. Inthis study, Abdominal palpation, Johnson s formula and Insler’s formula and Ultrasonography were usedto estimation of fetal weight. The study was conducted from 19 May to 1 July in 2018. The results of thecomparison of the different EFW methods and ABW (with the difference of ± 100gram) by chi-square testand the accuracy were based on sensitivity and specificity in categorizing the fetal weight (below 2500grams, 2500- 4000grams and above 4000 grams).Results : Mean of actual birth weight is 3343.352 ± 432.799 gram, mean birth weight by abdominalpalpation is 3371.053 ± 345.561 gram, mean birth weight by Johnson’s formula is 3041.206 ± 411gram, byInsler’s formula is 3556.316 ± 531.567 gram, and by ultrasonography is 3294.28 ± 380.09 gram. In thecalculation of the difference between estimated methods and birth weight, by one sample test, abdominalpalpation had the lowest (p = 0.261) and the Insler’s formula (p = 0.001) had the highest difference withthe actual birth weight. In categorizing the fetal weight, by Insler’s formula (96.33%) was highly accuratein low birth weight (LBW), abdominal palpation (91.09%) in normal weight and macrosomia (94.72%). infact, there is a significant difference between clinical methods and ultrasonography with ABW (p = 0.026).Conclusion : Clinical methods of estimation of fetal weight are effective way for the decision-making ofmidwifery profession during labor and delivery. These methods are an easy, affordable, and cost-effectivemethod that can be used in developing countries especially in our country.

Estimation, Fetal weight, Birth weight, Clinical methods, Ultrasonography