Over the past few years, various devices and techniques have been developed for electronic fetal monitoring (EFM), which is performed during pregnancy or continuously during labor to ensure normal delivery of a healthy baby. We reviewed and analyzed the performance of currently used EFM techniques with the goal of determining a noninvasive, cost-effective alternative for use in the home environment. This review includes research papers, publications, web sources, product manuals, interviews, formal discussions, and other available literature with the goal of providing a comprehensive comparative analysis of all available EFM techniques. We relate some of the insights gained from reviewing a large number of resources. © 2008 by Begell House, Inc.