Intermittent auscultation of the fetal heart rate: A review of general principles

Multiple randomized clinical trials have been unsuccessful in providing evi dence of efficacy of electronic fetal monitoring; thus, there is renewed in terest in intermittent auscultation during labor for women with low-risk pr egnancies. Auscultation must be used with palpation or external or internal electronic monitoring of uterine contractions. Auscultation and palpation require education, experience, and competency validation at regular interva ls. Institutional policies and standards of care are mandatory for intermit tent auscultation. Concerns exist regarding the personnel costs for auscult ation: however, these costs may ultimately be shown to be offset by signifi cant benefits in improved outcomes and patient satisfaction.