Cochrane review finds that use of cardiotocograph on admission to the labour ward, rather than intermittent auscultation of the fetal heart rate, may increase risk of caesarean in low-risk women.

The author comments on a study by Devane and colleagues which revealed that women allocated to admission cardiotocograph (CTG) were more likely to experience continuous electronic fetal monitoring. The author mentions that the study concluded that admission CTG should not be routinely offered in low-risk women as it increases the risk of caesarean section (CS). She states that the study confirms the recommendations of the current guidelines for selective use of CTG monitoring.