Improved intrapartum surveillance with PR interval analysis of the fetal electrocardiogram: a randomized trial showing a reduction in fetal blood sampling

The need for fetal scalp blood sampling procedures may be reduced by supplementing standard electronic fetal monitoring with fetal electrocardiograms. Researchers compared fetal outcomes of 100 pregnant women with high risk labors who received electronic fetal monitoring alone to the outcomes of 84 high risk women who received electronic fetal monitoring plus fetal electrocardiogram analysis. Fetuses in the electronic fetal monitoring plus fetal electrocardiogram group received fewer fetal scalp blood samplings, and these samplings were more likely to yield abnormal pH results than in the other group. Slightly more unsuspected instances of lack of oxygen in fetuses occurred in the electronic fetal monitoring group. The use of fetal electrocardiograms did not lower the cesarean delivery rate.