Litigation and the cardiotocogram.

The extent of the liability in obstetric litigation is discussed. Arguments between experts reveal the lack of agreed standards in cardiotocography. This paper discusses the problems which need to be addressed when defining what constitutes an abnormal cardiotocogram (CTG), how long it needs to abnormal before it is significant, the contribution made by inadequate equipment and the question of whether it is defensible to decide positively not to monitor. Records need to be archived for a minimum of 25 years.