Over the past 35 years, obstetric wards have increased the use of continuous cardiotocographic monitoring among women giving birth, even to women with low-risk pregnancy. At the same time, there is a lively discussion in the obstetric environment about the legitimacy of continuous monitoring in the states indicated in the regulation of 9 November 2015. Therefore, it was decided to create a work that contains a comparative analysis of indications for conducting continuous cardiotocographic monitoring during delivery formulated by various societies scientific and organizations (Polish Gynecological Society (PTG), The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZOG). It seems that the results of this analysis may indicate the need for a re-reflective look at clinical practice, especially in the context of effective delivery – while maintaining the patient's right to move freely, vertical position and mother and child safety.

Key words: delivery, fetal heart rate, continuous monitoring, cardiotocography.