Fetal surveillance--update.

There are numerous protocols for antepartum fetal heart rate testing. It is pointless to try to determine which is the "best" protocol. Each individual clinician should evaluate the protocols in his institution for applicability to clinical practice. The basic requirements for accurate screening tests should be met by any proposed clinical management scheme, i.e., ease of performance, low false normal rate, acceptable false abnormal rate, knowledge of perinatal outcome, and cost effectiveness. The protocol chosen must then be applied consistently and uniformly. The application of these principles will aid physicians in improving care for their pregnant patients.