[Fetal bradycardia during the second stage of labor. Study of 72 cases].

The Authors analyse cardiotocographic patterns characterized by a constant frequency level below 120 beats/minute during the second stage of labour. Some aspects of "terminal bradycardia" (length, amplitude of oscillations, fetal heart rate in the 30 minutes preceding the onset of bradycardia) are related with the condition of the newborn (1st and 5th minute Apgar-score). Terminal bradycardia (Fischer 3, Melchior 2, 3 and 4, 2nd and 4th of Thiery) seems to have an unfavourable prognostic value especially when prolonged (more than 20 minutes), associated with low base-line variability and when cardiotocographic pattern previous to the fall of frequency is characterized by variable and late decelerations.