[Intensive monitoring of the fetus sub partu--value and false interpretation]

The past 30 years have seen dramatic advances concerning safety of the unborn child unsurpassed during 2400 years before, i.e. since the time of Hippocrates. Part of these advances is fetal monitoring during labor. It has recently been recognized that severe brain damage due to intrapartum fetal hypoxia is more rare than previously assumed. Legal consequences are to be expected. Expert opinion ought to investigate and judge the cause of possible intrapartum fetal damage more thoroughly and critically than it was customary. It is unfortunate that some authors in the framework of this development and for other reasons as well have come to the erroneous conclusion that the intensive intrapartum fetal monitoring is of less significance than previously believed. Such opinions are slanted and scientifically untenable. Intensive intrapartum fetal monitoring fulfills also the important task of reducing the early acidosis related to morbidity which has to be taken seriously since it may affect nearly all important organ systems of the fetus and the newborn. Intrapartum fetal monitoring has to (correction for o) be considered of great value regard to modern medical knowledge.