The FHR monitoring in 320 patients with fetal distress were randomly analyzed and revised over 16 years. The aim of our study, in so long a period, was to evaluate the role of cardiotocography in order to preserve the fetus from irreversible damage. The results show a progressive improvement of neonatal outcome, due to the development of the experience with this method, and to the improvement in interpretative criteria. However, cardiotocography showed its limits, and the moment has come to seek new integrative methods to associate cardiotocography with a continuous monitoring of the fetal status.