To explore the function of continuous electronic heart rate monitoring to reduce fetal distress and asphyxia of the newborn.

Pregnant woman more than 37 weeks in our hospital were chosen from January 2001 to July 2006, these participants were classified to test group (group of continuous electronic heart rate monitoring) and control group (group of non-continuous electronic heart rate monitoring) based on means of monitoring. Rate of fetal distress and asphyxia of the newborn were analyzed.

Rate of the test group for fetal distress was greatly raised by continuous electronic heart rate monitoring, there was statistic significance (P<0.05), and incidence rate of asphyxia of the newborn declined remarkably, there was also statistic significance (P<0.05).

Continuous electronic heart rate monitoring could indicate in time the anoxic degree of the fetus and dynamic change, screen the fetal distress, forecast prognosis of the perinatal infant, betimes take a rightly measure for doctor, reduce asphyxia of the newborn and improve quality of maternity department.