[Effects of mechanical monitoring of patients in labour on fetal and maternal morbidity and on perinatal mortality (author's transl)].

Potential benefits and hazards of mechanical monitoring were retrospectively studied in the context of 768 in 9,205 deliveries, between 1977 and 1979. Monitoring in all cases had been by cardiotocography. Perinatal mortality was found to decline in response to monitoring. All cases for monitoring should be carefully selected, and aseptic rules must be stringently observed.