History and development of fetal heart assessment: a composite

Methods of assessing the fetal heart remained unchanged for approximately 150 years until the first commercial monitor suitable for clinical practice was sold in 1968. The impact and events of the last 30 to 40 years surrounding fetal heart assessment are revealed in perspectives of the past, present, and near future. Assessment practices have been shaped by the development of biotechnology, unrealistic expectations, interpretation disagreement, consumer response, and the practice and educational resources written by nursing and medicine.