Staff escorting centralized cardiotocographic surveillance (level 3: cardiotocographic surveillance).

As cardiotocograms may exceed borderline values unnoticed if the parturient/staff ratio exceeds 1/1 the distributions of deliveries and simultaneous occupancies of delivery beds over 11 years are analyzed. Variable influences, for example the management of labor, are outlined. The first level 3: staff escorting of centralized cardiotocographic surveillance in a family oriented obstetrical set up and its computerbased alert-system are described. Requirements for humane and safe parturition are formulated.