Screening for Intrapartum Electronic Fetal Monitoring

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

Release Date: 1996

Routine intrapartum electronic fetal monitoring is not recommended for low risk women. There is insufficient evidence regarding its routine use in high risk pregnancies. Despite the lack of evidence on its positive impact on health outcomes and the 1996 USPSTF recommendation against its routine use, intrapartum electronic fetal monitoring has become common practice in the U.S.

Based on currently available evidence, the USPSTF believes that updating its 1996 recommendation would have limited potential impact on clinical practice. The USPSTF will not update its 1996 recommendation.

Internet Citation:

Screening for Intrapartum Electronic Fetal Monitoring, Topic Page. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsiefm.htm