Antenatal tests of fetal wellbeing

Abstract

In current obstetric practice, there is frequently a need to assess fetal wellbeing. This is particularly so in those fetuses at risk, including the small-for-gestational-age fetus or the fetus of a mother who presents with reduced fetal movements or who has an obstetric complication such as pre-eclampsia. It is important that the clinician is able to assess fetal wellbeing in such cases, especially in preterm gestations, when inappropriate delivery could have serious adverse consequences. In this paper, we review the current evidence for the use and the limitations of widely used methods of antenatal monitoring including the use of cardiotocography, biophysical profile, and ultrasound-derived parameters including umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery, and ductus venosus Doppler flow.

Keywords: Antenatal monitoring; Cardiotocography; Ductus venosus Doppler; Short-term variability; Umbilical artery Doppler.