Fetal heart rate classification in routine use: Do your prefer a 3-tier or a 5-tier classification?

Abstract Objective To assess the current use of a five-tier fetal heart rate (FHR) classification system (National College of French Obstetricians and Gynecologists, CNGOF, 2007) and of a three-tier system (Federation International of Gynecology and Obstetrics, FIGO, 2015). Materials and methods This was a single-center prospective study conducted in April 2016. Midwives were asked to classify FHR hourly during their patients’ labors according to two classification systems (CNGOF and FIGO). For each system the midwives rated from 0 to 10 the following elements after delivery: ease of FHR classification, the memorization of the classification, access to routine use, and help with the decision of a second-line examination. Finally, they had to choose which classification system seemed most helpful in their clinical practice. Results Forty-six patients were included in the study. The median score for the ease of FHR classification according to the CNGOF system was 7, versus 8 according to the FIGO system ( p p Conclusion The three-tier FIGO classification system seemed easier to use but the five-tier CNGOF classification system was more helpful. The choice of which system to use should be discussed within each medical team.