Fetal monitoring in labour: summary and update of NICE guidance

• The new guideline on fetal monitoring emphasises that women are the decision makers; clinicians support decision making • A change in the fetal heart rate pattern indicates a change in the fetal condition • Fetal heart rate monitoring is only one element of fetal assessment in labour • Risk assessment should be performed hourly in labour for all women • When inducing or augmenting labour, monitoring and managing contraction frequency is key to reducing intrapartum hypoxia