Electronic fetal heart rate monitoring during cesarean section.

Fetal heart rate (FHR) response to cesarean section was studied in 65 patients. Induction of anesthesia, skin, fascial, peritoneal and bladder flap incisions were not associated with a change in FHR. Abdominal preparation was associated with FHR decelerations in 15% of cases. Myometrial incision was followed by FHR deceleration in 11% of cases. No correlation between the incision/delivery (I-D) interval and FHR changes was seen.