EFM Case Study #22: Intermittent Auscultation Safety and Risks

Course overview

After decades of rigorous comparison in 13 randomized controlled trials, continuous electronic fetal monitoring (CEFM) shows no clinical benefit over intermittent auscultation (IA) but it remains the primary method of fetal surveillance during labor. There is a current disconnect between scientific evidence that supports the use of intermittent auscultation (IA) in low-risk pregnant patients and the use of IA in clinical practice. All professional perinatal organizations encourage the universal adoption of IA as part of a "non-interventional care model for low-risk obstetric patients. Using IA increases patient satisfaction and decreases the risk of cesarean birth. This activity outlines strategies to providers and hospitals on how to safely adopt IA into clinical practice for low-risk laboring patients.