Author(s)

E.S.G. Genevier, A.C. Deans & P.J. Steer

Abstract

New modalities for monitoring fetal well-being during labour E.S.G. Genevier," A.C. Deans,* PJ. Steer* "Biome dical Research Unit, * Academic Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Charing Cross & Westminster Medical School, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, 369 Fulham Road, London INTRODUCTION Over the last 30 years, the monitoring of fetal well-being during labour has relied upon measuring and charting the fetal heart rate (FHR) and uterine activity (UA). The limitations of fetal monitoring are well known and the need for more deterministic methods is well established. The methods of obtaining the FHR have little improved since the introduction of electronic fetal monitoring (EFM): either Doppler ultrasound, which requires extensive signal processing and has rather large limitations; and fetal ECG obtained from a fetal scalp clip*. The scalp clip pierces the fetal scalp and is unpopular with mothers and can cause minor traumas to the fetal scalp. Fu

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