Birth Small Talk

Fetal monitoring information you can trust

Reflections

My thoughts and ideas

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Why artificial intelligence systems for fetal monitoring are so seductive to healthcare systems (and why that is a huge ethical problem)

Fetal heart rate monitoring traditionally involves professionals interpreting patterns, but technology has introduced complex, expensive systems aimed at improving outcomes. Despite this, there are ethical concerns regarding women’s consent and data use. The focus appears to prioritize cost reduction for healthcare systems over meaningful enhancements in maternal and fetal care outcomes.

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Why bother?

If you have been hanging around Birth Small Talk for more than a moment, you’ll know I’m very focussed on putting the evidence about fetal heart rate monitoring in front of as many people as possible. And you’ll know that this position puts me at odds with a lot of what most people will hear in mainstream maternity services. So I get some pushback from time to time. And even […]

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Human rights and artificial intelligence in healthcare

Recent publications on fetal monitoring highlight the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in interpreting CTG recordings. While advancements promise decision-support systems, rights issues remain. Ploug and colleagues emphasize the need for regulations in AI-driven healthcare to protect people’s rights, urging the integration of these considerations into technology development from the outset.

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Is 40 years long enough?

Why are we still doing CTGs?

The Dublin randomized controlled trial published in July 1985 aimed to determine the effectiveness of continuous fetal monitoring (CTG) over intermittent auscultation during labor. The trial found no significant differences in outcomes for babies. Despite its findings, CTGs remained widely used. It’s time to do something about that.

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Why it’s not ok to say “I don’t do vaginal breech birth”

The post discusses the importance of practitioners being skilled in vaginal breech birth, highlighting the ethical implications of stating, “I don’t do vaginal breech birth.” It emphasizes that women often lack control over their birthing circumstances and need competent care providers to ensure safe delivery, advocating for comprehensive training and skill development in maternity care.

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Is teaching keeping up with evidence?

The article reviews a recent paper on fetal monitoring during labor by Richmond et al. which lacks a reference list, undermining its educational value. While it identifies some correct points about fetal heart rate interpretations, it perpetuates outdated practices and fails to acknowledge the need for consent in monitoring, thus serving more as promotional content than genuine education.

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