Introductory information
In the past two decades, standardized approaches to cardiotocography (CTG) interpretation have evolved. They don’t take into account that specific fetal heart rate patterns may vary by fetal sex and age. There is a need for individualised interpretation as standard guidelines may not account for all fetal characteristics, potentially leading to misinterpretation and harm.
The evidence on CTG monitoring vs intermittent auscultation during labour does NOT prove that CTG significantly reduces stillbirth or neonatal mortality rates, in either low or high-risk populations. Professionals and academics MUST avoid misleading people about the evidence.
The type of fetal monitoring you decide to use can potentially have a big impact on your experience of giving birth, how you give birth, and the health of your baby.
Today’s post summarises the evidence about the use of admission CTGs.
As I have been refreshing older blog posts, I realised I never did get around to writing about antenatal CTG use. Today’s post solves that gap! What is antenatal CTG monitoring and when is it used? Mostly I write about the use of CTG monitoring during labour. But this is not the only time CTGs are used in maternity care. Maternity professionals also use CTGs during pregnancy in an attempt […]
Does CTG monitoring generate more harm than benefit for babies? Here’s the evidence….
What are the psychological consequences of CTG monitoring? Sadly, we don’t actually know….
It’s just a CTG – it can’t hurt to do one. Or can it? This week’s post explores the risks of CTG use.
Back to basics: What is intermittent auscultation and how is it done?
Birth Small Talk 