Intensive care in labour

The purpose of this study was to investigate correlation between continuous beat-to-beat fetal heart monitoring and fetal scalp blood pH values in labour. The results showed that readings of pH 7,250 or greater were more reliable than those of pH 7,200 or less. Secondly, of 26 cases showing clinical fetal distress which were monitored, only 10 required Caesarean section and therefore 16 Caesarean sections were avoided. Other studies reflecting pH values in fetal and maternal blood are also mentioned. The conclusions reached are that this type of intensive care is useful in unexpected cases of fetal distress in labour, but that where there is good clinical evidence of placental insufficiency, elective Caesarean section is often the method of choice for delivery.S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 2113 (1974