Continuous electronic fetal monitoring during labour

Abstract
This chapter describes electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) during labour. EFM during labour involves recording the fetal heart rate by means of an electrode on the fetal scalp or an ultrasound probe on the mother's abdomen. The aim is to identify fetal hypoxia at an early enough stage in labour to carry out a Caesarean or instrumental delivery before the hypoxia can lead to perinatal death or lasting neuropsychiatric disability.