Fetal Monitoring

Research has clearly shown that the use of external fetal monitors gives NO improvement in any measurement of fetal outcome...in other words, no fewer babies die, APGAR scores are no higher, and there are no fewer admissions to neonatal intensive care. There has been only only one thing correlated with use of external fetal monitoring...an increase in number of cesarean sections. (And, again, these babies show no better outcomes.) It is important to periodically monitor how baby is coping with contractions. This can be done using intermittent fetal monitoring, but can also be done using a handheld Doppler or even with a traditional fetoscope. These provide the same information without the disadvantage of restricting your mobility. What are the drawbacks of external fetal monitoring? Besides the increased likelihood of cesarean section, they also decrease your mobility by confining you to a flat-on-the-back position. This not only increases pain, but also can actually cause the problem it is supposed to be catching...decreased oxygen supply to the baby.