Electronic fetal monitoring in a small hospital. Part 1: antepartum use.

A case series analysis was performed at a 40-bed hospital in Newfoundland to assess the antepartum use of an electronic fetal heart rate monitor; 339 nonstress tests were performed on 98 patients. One stillbirth occurred 12 days after a reactive nonstress test. One patient had persistently nonreactive tests and underwent cesarean section; the infant was distressed at birth. Antepartum fetal heart rate monitoring may provide a useful measure in prenatal risk assessment in small hospitals for patients at risk of perinatal morbidity or mortality. Potential benefits for those at no predictable risk need to be investigated further.