Intrauterine resuscitation of the compromised fetus

The gold standard for assessment of fetal well being in labor is the adequa cy of fetal oxygenation using continuous electronic fetal monitoring. Addit ional biophysical properties of the fetus are increasingly being used to as certain the health of the intrauterine environment. This article focuses on the detection and management of the compromised fetus. The article describ es the history, physiologic basis, and current techniques for fetal monitor ing. In addition, it presents the common diagnostic tools used to identify the compromised fetus and available options for the management of fetal int olerance of labor.