1.   The available evidence does not support routine continuous fetal heart rate monitoring during all labours.

2.   Many of the studies showing a low incidence of electrocardiographic abnormalities included cardiac monitoring only during the endoscopy procedure itself.

3.   Ambulatory monitoring during cardiac arrest has shown that the mechanism is usually VF preceded by a variable period of organised ventricular tachycardia.

4.   Nonetheless, the shutdown prompted a call for closer monitoring during a briefing at the White House.

5.   These reasons added to an already rising rate prompted by the growing use of fetal monitoring during labor.