4.2 How should the fetus be assessed?
In the acute setting, an initial assessment with cardiotocography should be undertaken. This gives
information about fetal wellbeing at that time but does not give any predictive information.
Women in labour with severe pre-eclampsia should have continuous electronic fetal monitoring.
If conservative management is planned then further assessment of the fetus with ultrasound
measurements of fetal size, umbilical artery Doppler and liquor volume should be undertaken. Serial
assessment will allow timing of delivery to be optimised.
The value of Doppler in other fetal vessels has yet to be clarified.