Effect of Continuous Electronic Fetal Monitoring on Low-Risk Pregnancy Outcome during First Two Stages of Labor

Objective To investigate the effect of continuous electronic fetal monitoring(EFM)on low-risk pregnancy outcome during the first two stages of labor.Methods We divided 687 women with low-risk pregnancy in our hospital from Jan.2009 to Dec.2009 randomly into the experimental group(352 cases,continuous EFM in the first two stages of labor)and control group(335 cases,Doppler monitoring fetal heart rate).The cesarean section rate,vaginal surgery rate,fetal distress and neonatal asphyxia rate were compared between the two groups.Results The cesarean section rate and vaginal surgery rate of the experimental group were slightly higher than those of the control group,with no significant difference(P0.05),and the experimental group had a higher detection rate of fetal distress and a lower rate of neonatal asphyxia compared with the control group,with a significant difference(P0.05).Conclusion Compared with Doppler monitoring fetal heart rate,continuous EFM during the first two stages of labor may slightly increase the cesarean section rate and vaginal surgery rate,but earlier fetal distress can be diagnosed and managed to reduce the rate of neonatal asphyxia and the quality of newborns will be increased.