Abstract: A foetal scalp electrode of simple construction, which is simple to operate, and which affords secure attachment to the foetal scalp, has a tubular torsional spring member encircling an electrically conductive wire between an electrical connector and an insulated head member, whereby relative rotation of the connector and head member respectively manually against the torsion and oppositely upon release of the connector causes an arcuate contact needle on one end of the wire to move respectively into and out of the head member, the head member being provided with a concave surface facing oppositely to a flat surface from which the needle is normally urged by the torsion, so that the head member can be held securely in one hand close to a foetal scalp with a finger resting in the concave surface, which is preferably formed with ribs extending transversely with respect to the axis of the tubular torsional spring member, so as to improve the grip afforded by a finger engaging the concave surface still further by