[Intrapartum Foetal Heart Rate Monitoring and Rate of Caesarean Section: A National Survey].

INTRODUCTION

The rate of Caesarean section has dramatically increased in recent decades. Foetal scalp blood sampling and computer software analysing foetal heart rate detection should help in the decision-making for or against Caesarean section. The main aim of this study was to examine how these 2 factors influence the Caesarean section rate.

METHODS

A national survey of all maternity units in Germany was undertaken using a self-reported questionnaire via crowd sourcing. All variables were collected as categorised data sets. Using these data sets, correlation coefficients were calculated. The correlations were additionally analysed using visual mosaic plots.

RESULTS

97 questionnaires were analysed. There were several strong correlations between variables in the data set. Particularly, hospitals that assessed the foetal heart rate in the normal range (110-160 bpm) according to the current FIGO guidelines had a lower C-section rate.

CONCLUSION

Computer-assisted foetal heart rate assessment that is based on the FIGO guidelines correlated with a lower Caesarean section rate. The use and further development of computer-based cardiotocograph assessment analysis should be continued.