Continuous fetal heart rate monitoring . It was thought that by expediting the delivery of babies experiencing abnormally high stress just prior to birth, they could reduce the incidence of cerebral palsy.
Cerebral palsy is thought to be due, at least in part, to a shortage of oxygen to the brain.
The study in the NEJM, reviewed 155,638 birth records, concluding that intervention by cesarean delivery, and fetal heart rate monitoring and have not reduced the incidence of cerebral palsy. In a accompanying editorial, it was noted that these rates have remained fairly constant, despite increased prenatal care, reduced birth trauma and increased use of cesarean delivery over the past 25 years. According to Dixon, there is no way to test for cerebral palsy before delivery. According to Mayo pediatric neurologist Marc Patterson, M.D., we seldom find the cause of cerebral palsy. It's amazing that difficulties occur as infrequently as they do.