STAN--the Gothenburg model for fetal surveillance during labour by ST analysis of the fetal electrocardiogram.

Waveform analysis of the fetal ECG for fetal surveillance is regaining widespread interest. This paper presents our present knowledge on ST waveform analysis during human labour. A unipolar scalp lead with the maternal thigh as reference makes it possible to identify the T wave and at the same time decrease signal noise. The development of an ECG analyser (STAN) has enabled us to collect 201 ECG recordings during labour on which ST analysis could be undertaken. The data indicate that waveform analysis of the fetal ECG improves fetal surveillance during labour.