It is probable that conventional electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) has
reduced the intrapartum death rate, but the expected dramatic reducti
on in neurological handicap has not occured. There are two reasons for
this: the majority of infants, who develop neurological problems have
been harmed before the inset of labor, and the method of EFM has been
more difficult to use in daily routine than expected. However, EFM is
the best method we have to monitor high risk cases and the results ca
n be improved by better training of the staff.