Fetal heart rate monitoring during ambulant labour using a modified adult radiotelemetry system

A commercially available adult radiotelemetry system has been adapted successfully to allow continuous fetal heart rate monitoring during labour in ambulant patients. The modifications necessary to the adult equipment and its routine use in a large maternity unit are described. High quality recordings were obtained from 90% of the patients studied, with minimal inconvenience to the patient. The telemetry system combined the benefits of intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring with those of ambulation during labour, decreasing the patient anxiety often associated with visible fetal monitoring.