ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND The main motive underlying antepartum fetal assessment is to prevent stillbirth. Prevention of neurologic handicap, such
as cerebral palsy, is another aim. Preventing these outcomes by prompt intervention for proven fetal compromise is balanced by avoiding impacts of unnecessary intervention for both fetus (iatrogenic prematurity) and mother (surgical complications). Extending the pregnancy to reduce prematurity may increase the risk of unexpected stillbirth but has measurable benefits in reduced long-term neurologic outcomes. Optimizing testing regimens means choosing methods, frequency, and disease-specific components while accounting for gestational-age influences, drug interactions, test variability, and even the interaction of test components. If we want to choose the test that is best at reducing stillbirth, there is some limited high-level evidence to inform us.
