A contribution to the monitoring of fetal arrhythmias.

Antepartum and intrapartum monitoring problems are discussed with reference to a case history of a fetal AV-block detected during the 36th week of pregnancy. CTG instruments where the internal logic criteria can be turned off are suitable for monitoring arrhythmias. During labor the direct fetal ECG permits exact diagnosis as to the type of arrhythmia. The necessity of antepartum diagnosis in regard to postpartum pediatric management and hypoxic states during labor justify the large expenditure on monitoring apparatus. During labor continuous tissue pH measurement via the fetal scalp give added information as to fetal condition.