Fetal monitoring during emergency obstetric transport

The practicality of fetal heart rate monitoring during fixed-wing transport of obstetric emergencies was evaluated. Fifty-seven transports were performed and 40 (70%) were monitored successfully with the electronic fetal heart rate monitor. External fetal heart rate monitoring was technically accomplished in 83% of monitored transports. Of the 40 patients monitored, 33 (83%) of the fetal heart rate tracings were considered useful for adequate evaluation of the fetal heart rate and contraction frequency. No patients had late decelerations during transport. At cabin pressures from 1100 feet to 7000 feet, fetal hypoxia as measured by late decelerations was not present in any patient.