Antenatal Cardiotocography in Patients with Persistently Subnormal Urinary Oestriol Excretion

Summary: Antenatal cardiotoccgraphy was performed in 137 consecutive patients with persistently subnormal urinary oestriol excretion in spite of rest in hospital. Abnormal fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns were detected in 25 patients (18.2%). Late deceleration FHR patterns associated with Braxton Hicks contractions were recorded in 8 patients, and were associated with intrauterine death in 2 patients when delivery was delayed. The late deceleration FHR pattern occurring with Braxton Hicks contractions is a manifestation of acute on chronic fetal distress. The appropriate management is delivery within 24 hours, preferably by Caesarean section, especially if there is loss of beat‐to‐beat variation, and absence of sporadic FHR accelerations.