Intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring of the extremely premature fetus.

When cesarean section is not warranted because of extreme prematurity, continuous electronic fetal heart rate monitoring during the intrapartum period and in utero resuscitation of the distressed fetus are indicated, especially in cases of borderline fetal viability. Two cases are presented to illustrate the benefit of such measures when fetal distress occurs and the fetus is judged to be too small for operative intervention.