Abstract: Objective: To explore the value of continuous fetal heart rate monitoring in labor for diagnosing fetal distress. Methods: One thousand two hundred and ninety-eight full-term pregnant women with single fetus and 862 pregnant women without continuous fetal heart rate monitoring in labor were set as the observation and control group,respectively. The fetal heart rate of the observation group was continuously monitored using central type monitor system in labor. The amniotic fluid turbidity rate,cesarean section rate with the indication of fetal distress,forceps delivery rate and neonatal asphyxia rate of two groups were calculated. The pH value of umbilical artery blood of neonates with abnormal fetal heart rate were measured. Results: The cesarean section rate with the indication of fetal distress of observation group was 21. 4%,which was significantly higher than that of control group( 15. 0%)( P 0. 01). The neonatal asphyxia rate and the severe asphyxia rate of observation group were 4. 5% and 1. 4%,which were significantly lower than those of control group( 7. 2% and 2. 7%)( P 0. 01 and P 0. 05). The fetal distress,amniotic fluid turbidity and forceps delivery with the indication of fetal distress rates of two groups had no significant difference( P 0. 05). The fetal distress rate of observation group was 10. 7% on the second stage of labor,which was lower than that of control group( 14. 0%)( P 0. 05). The pH value of umbilical artery blood of neonate with abnormal fetal heart rate pattern was 7. 25 0. 26,which was significantly lower than that of neonate with normal fetal heart rate pttern 7. 34 0. 18( P 0. 01). Conclusions: The continuous fetal heart rate monitoring using central type monitor system can early diagnose the fetal distress,which can provide the basis of early treatment and intervention.