Peripartum and intrapartum assessment of the fetus

Perinatal death or cerebral palsy are devastating outcomes of pregnancy for families. In an attempt to prevent these outcomes fetal wellbeing is assessed by a variety of means in the antenatal and intrapartum settings. In this review, the most common means to confirm fetal wellbeing, the rationale for their use and evidence of their efficacy in each of these settings are discussed. With respect to labour, the indications for continuous electronic fetal monitoring are presented, together with a guide to interpretation of cardiotocograph (CTG) or fetal blood samples (FBS).