Fetal monitoring: medical and legal implications for the practitioner

Seventy per cent of all claims concerning intrapartum care in relation to fetal brain damage are based on abnormalities of the cardiotocograms and electronic fetal monitoring. Claims arise because of failure to take action in the presence of an abnormal cardiotocogram, or because of delayed response to an abnormal tracing. Difficulties in court arise from variations in the interpretation of the significance of recordings. The importance of taking appropriate action in the presence of an abnormal cardiotocogram, and in keeping accurate time-sensitive records is emphasized.