The physiologic and medical rationale for intrapartum fetal monitoring

The primary purpose of intrapartum fetal monitoring is to detect fetal compromise secondary to fetal hypoxemia, which may result from a broad array of disorders of oxygen delivery to the fetus. Based on a growing volume of laboratory and clinical evidence, intrapartum fetal oxygen saturation monitoring seems to be promising new technology suited toward these goals. After safety and efficacy issues are resolved, the primary indication for the fetal pulse oximeter in clinical management of labor will most likely be as an adjunct in assessing the non-reassuring fetal heart rate (FHR) tracing. It is expected that this technology will provide more insight into both normal and pathologic conditions of the fetus during labor.