ABSTRACT
To evaluate the benefits of continuous fetal heart rate monitoring during labour on neonatal outcome in low-risk obstetric population. Setting: Prince Hashem Military Hospital, Zarqa, Jordan. Materials and This study was conducted at Prince Hashem Military Hospital during the period Jaunary 1st until March 31st 2000, on 200 low-risk women, divided evenly and randomly into two groups. In group I, the women had continous fetal heart monitoring while in group II, intermittent auscultation with the sonic aide was used. Abnormal fetal heart rate patterns, need for operative delivery for fetal distress, perinatal morbidity and mortality and Apgar scores were assessed. Abnomralities in fetal heart rate were detected in 54% of the continously monitored group and in 9% of the routinely monitored group. More operative deliveries were performed in the monitored than in the control group. The incidence of caesarean section in both groups was low [6% and 3% respectively]. No significant difference was found in the Apgar score and neonatal outcome in both groups. This study demonstrated that continuous fetal heart rate monitoring should not be used as a routine in all labours. Furthermore, continuous fetal heart rate monitoring failed to demonstrate any improvement in perinatal outocme in a low-risk obstetric population