[Prenatal monitoring of fetal heart activity and the course of labor and the state of the newborn infant].

In the paper practical importance of cardiotocographic interpretation of records carried out during pregnancy is discussed as well as the importance of antepartum monitoring of foetal heart rate. 1944 records of 663 pregnant women were analysed. Observations of basic frequency of foetal heart rate, oscillation and heart rate response to foetal movements and uterine contractions were made. Taking into consideration these criteria the records were classified as: reactive, nonreactive and combined (reactive and nonreactive) patterns. Among 663 cases there were 544 reactive patterns, 73 combined with predominance of reactive ones, 34 combined with predominance of nonreactive ones and 12 nonreactive patterns. Comparison of separate types of records with Apgar test in the 1 st, 3 rd, and 5 th minute shows that low Apgar score (below 7) is mainly related to the group of nonreactive and combined records with predominance of nonreactive patterns. Apgar score is above 7 in the group of reactive and combined patterns with predominance of reactive pattern. Comparison of the types of records to the kinds of delivery termination shows that in predominately nonreactive pattern there was 50-55% of operational deliveries in predominately reactive pattern groups however 24%. Therefore repeating reactive pattern in antepartum monitoring records is the evidence of good foetal state and this state most probably will not be disturbed during labour. Repeating nonreactive pattern with decreasing oscillation is the evidence of increased foetal distress.