COMBINED INTRAPARTUM FETAL MONITORING, RESULTS

The purpose of this study was to prove, whether intrapartum fetal monitoring by cardiotocography and fetal blood analysis brings advantages for mother and child. The data of 10234 patients, delivered in 5 different hospitals in 1988 and 1989, were analyzed by a computer. The results show that nonpermanent in comparison to permanent monitoring lead to a significant increase in cesarean section rate, neonatal morbidity and perinatal mortality. Furthermore we found a negative correlation between cesarean section rate and fequency of fetal blood analysis (r = -0.54). The use of fetal blood analysis in cases with pathological fetal heart patterns lead to a significant reduction in cesarean section rate, neonatal morbidity and perinatal mortality. In summary the study shows that a combined intrapartum monitoring improve the results.