Handbook of CTG Interpretation: From Patterns to Physiology

Focusing on the principles of physiological interpretation of CTG, this new edition promotes an evidence-based approach to interpreting fetal heart rate changes. Traditional classification systems are arbitrary and associated with increased caesarean sections without improvements in perinatal outcomes. Guiding the reader in the use of novel tools to help eliminate avoidable, intrapartum-related fetal hypoxic-ischaemic brain injuries and their long term consequences such as cerebral palsy and learning difficulties, this book moves away from traditional, illogical classification systems. Topics such as non-hypoxic causes of fetal brain injury, types of intrapartum hypoxia, and medico-legal issues are clearly explained, and new chapters on human factors in CTG interpretation and the development of new technologies that can reduce human errors are included. Methods discussed comply with the International Expert Consensus Statement on Physiological Interpretation of CTG (October 2024), authored by over 50 CTG experts from over 20 countries.