An overview of central fetal monitoring systems in labour.

A variety of systems for centralised viewing of fetal signals during labour are currently available, allowing simultaneous monitoring of multiple tracings in one or more locations. Display of maternal vital signs, ST signals and an electronic partogram are available in the majority of these systems. A few of them have incorporated computer analysis of cardiotocographic signals or combined cardiotocographic and ST data analysis. Computer analysis may elicit real-time alerts for healthcare professionals when changes associated with fetal hypoxia are detected. Central fetal monitoring systems have been installed in a large number of maternity hospitals in industrialised countries, but there is still limited evidence of their impact on perinatal indicators, on the behaviour of healthcare professionals and on related health costs.