Hi,
Once again, there are three known methods to monitor fetal well being,
known in medical literature.
Fetoscope: This method is non-invasive, simple to use, and has a live
person on the other end (This can prevent some of the errors that are
mechanical.). This gives mother the mobility to deal with her labor,
shower, etc.. It does require that the person using it be trained,
although it is a standard procedure taught in every medical and
nursing type institution. In the case of high risk, induced, or with
certain medications, it cannot provide the round the clock monitoring
that may be necessary.
Telemetry Monitoring: This is the "newest" type of monitoring
available. It uses radio waves, connected to a transmitter on your
thigh, to transmit the baby's heart tones to the nurses station. You
maintain your mobility, and have constant monitoring, but again,
continuous monitoring for the low risk mother is very questionable in
benefit.
Kick Count
You can keep track of your fetus's movements yourself by keeping a
kick count in late pregnancy. You simply note the number of times the
fetus moves over a certain time.
Methods unacceptable to you are,
Doppler: This method is also used intermittently, requires little
training to use, has a live person on the other end, and allows mother
to maintain her mobility. It may also be easier to use during a
contraction. This device does use ultrasound and does not provide the
continuous monitoring needed for high risk labors.
Electronic Fetal Monitoring: This method provides beat to beat view of
the baby's heart tones, in relationship to mother's contractions. This
may be used either continuously or intermittently. This is a benefit
for the high risk mother, but of questionable benefit to the low risk
mother. This method does use ultrasound; leaves room for mechanical
error, which may cause incorrect interpretation, unnecessary
interventions etc.; loss of maternal mobility (when in use), which may
slow labor; and may switch attention from the mother to the machine.
Internal Monitoring: This is more accurate than the electronic
monitoring, does not use ultrasound, and can provide continuous
monitoring for the high risk mother. This method requires that your
water be broken (An amniotomy will be performed if you water is still
intact.), and that you be 2-3 centimeters dilated. Amniotomy adds
risks of its own. However, the risks and benefits of each procedure
must be weighed. This type of monitoring is almost exclusively used in
high-risk situations or when more accurate types of monitoring may
prevent other unnecessary interventions. This type of monitoring also
has been associated with fetal injury (from the electrode), infection
for mother or baby, etc.
Kick count requires no expertise or equipment. Fetoscope requires a RN
or any trained personnel. Telemetry Monitoring is manufactured by
http://www.monitoring.welchallyn.com/products/wireless/
Do tell me if at all you are interested or need to know the efficacy
of these methods. |
