Evaluation of fetal wellbeing by antepartum fetal heart monitoring.

The value of antenatal fetal heart rate monitoring was assessed in 301 patients. Tracings from each patient were classified as "reactive" or "non-reactive." Perinatal mortality, fetal distress in labour, caesarean section for fetal distress, and the incidence of low Apgar scores were all significantly increased in the non-reactive group.