Sudden fetal death in labor. The significance of antecedent monitoring characteristics and clinical circumstances.
Three patients experienced sudden fetal death in labor. The clinical presentations of the patients and their preceding monitoring patterns are discussed. A typical example of a benign, sustained deceleration in a healthy fetus is given for comparison. The characteristics of the clinical and monitoring behavior of the premorbid patient are discussed, and suggestions for appropriate responses to avoid fetal death are offered.
D000328:Adult; D003645:Death, Sudden; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000503:physiopathology; D005323:Fetal Monitoring; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011273:Pregnancy, Prolonged