[FBA and/or CTG: fetal blood analysis and/or cardiotocography]

"The Ranking and Value of Intrapartum Cardiotocography--A Contribution to the Efficiency of the Method", and "Overrating of Cardiotocography and Negative Clinical Effects", two round-table discussions on specialist congresses during 1982/1983, prompted a controversial discussion on the subject: Intensive Care during Pregnancy and Delivery via FBA (foetal blood analysis) and/or CTG (cardiotocography)? In two recently published papers originating from the working team of Professor Saling, Hammacher's score was used as measure for assessing the value of cardiotocography. Hence, the author has been both prompted and challenged to this editorial not only as the inaugurator, but also as "interpretative acrobat" of cardiotocography. In his opinion, the overrated use of FBA represents an additional risk to the foetus due to possible compressions of the umbilical cord--placenta circulation because of the artificial rupture of the membranes which is often necessary when performing FBA. He pleads for preserving the "padding" provided by the amniotic fluid, by employing external cardiotocography--monitoring via the reliable beat-to-beat autocorrelation technique--while retaining the amniotic sack.