Antepartum fetal heart rate monitoring in multiple pregnancy.

The assessment of fetal wellbeing in patients with multiple pregnancy by nonstressed antepartum cardiotocography is technically feasible and of clinical value. In 50 patients (101 babies) who were monitored during the antepartum period, there were five patients in whom one of a pair of twins showed a non-reactive cardiotogram. Four of these babies died (two intrauterine deaths and two neonatal deaths). All of these five babies were growth retarded at birth. The cardiotocograms from the other 96 fetuses were 'reactive' and these babies were normal. Cardiotocography seems to be a better predictor of perinatal mortality and morbidity than serial urinary oestrogens or serial biparietal diameter measurements in multiple pregnancy.