Recommendations for intrapartum fetal monitoring are not followed in low-risk women: A study from two Norwegian birth units.

Objective: International and national intrapartum fetal monitoring guidelines recommend intermittent auscultation in low-risk women, and admission cardiotocography and continuous cardiotocography in high-risk women. The present study aimed to investigate fetal monitoring practices for low- and high-risk women in two hospitals in Norway, and if practice were according to national and international guidelines.

Study Design: To this cross sectional study, data on methods of fetal monitoring and women's risk status were collected from the patient journals of 998 women with intended vaginal birth in 2017 and 2018.