We have reported observations of FHR during 20 cesarean sections. Prior to the sections, no fetus showed any sign of fetal distress and all were vertex presentations. Spinal anesthesia with atropine sulphate premedication was used in all cases. All newborns were apparently healthy. Seven of the 20 FHRs (35 per cent) showed no variations throughout the cesarean sections. In all of the remaining 13 cases (65 per cent) fetal bradycardia occurred during at least one part of the procedure. During the cesarean sections the fetal bradycardia was observed (1) in association with maternal hypotension, (2) occurring at or during skin incision or elsewhere during the surgical procedure, and (3) at delivery of the fetal head. From these observations, it appears that fetal bradycardia may occur during cesarean sections under spinal anesthesia with the delivery of an apparently healthy newborn. Explanations for these observations were offered.
