The paper investigates the relationship between umbilical cord size and fetal heart rate patterns during labor. Findings suggest that less Wharton’s jelly correlates with repetitive heart rate decelerations. However, misconceptions about fetal decelerations and their impact on fetal health were noted, along with a lack of evidence for suggested monitoring interventions.
CTG monitoring during vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC) is often deemed essential, but evidence suggests it does not prevent uterine rupture. Abnormal fetal heart rate patterns indicating rupture can also occur for other reasons. Therefore, CTG is not mandatory; women should choose their monitoring method based on individual circumstances.
The design of the very first RCT about CTG monitoring is interesting, and it raised a question which we really haven’t ever answered fully. Does the use of CTGs create the very problem they are meant to prevent?
The Dawes Redman system, used for CTG monitoring in pregnancy, aims to predict adverse outcomes. Recent research indicated a low overall accuracy of 54.4%, with high negative predictive values but low positive predictive values, especially in high-risk scenarios, questioning its effectiveness and endorsement in clinical guidelines.
There is a lack discussion surrounding the unconsented use of women’s clinical data for CTG analysis training in AI. Women should know when and how their data is being used, and benefit from their data use when corporations profit from it.
Birth Small Talk 