What’s wrong with central fetal monitoring?
Central fetal monitoring is sneaking its way in pretty much everywhere. Lots of people love it. Here are some of the reasons I have serious concerns about it…
Tag Archive for ‘central fetal monitoring’
Central Fetal Monitoring: More evidence
Central fetal monitoring systems, adopted globally, consolidate data on fetal heart rates and uterine contractions for real-time display. A Swedish study compared outcomes during traditional and central monitoring. No significant differences in metabolic acidosis or neonatal outcomes were found. Instrumental birth rates fell, likely due to revised guidelines, questioning the investment in central monitoring without definitive improvements.
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.
Who is in the centre?
Central fetal monitoring systems gather data from CTG machines and show it in a central place. While aimed at improving outcomes this has not been proven in research. Midwives reported disruptions in response to what was seen at the central monitor, leading to altered care practices focused on documentation over support for birthing women. It is time to pause and think, rather than continue to accept the introduction of these systems.
Add central fetal monitoring and stir: Is this the solution to understaffing?
What happens when you introduce a central fetal monitoring system into a maternity service who are struggling to provide adequate staffing to maintain safety?
Five questions you should ask about central fetal monitoring
Central fetal monitoring systems are becoming more and more common in maternity services in high-income countries. Once-upon-a-time heart rate and contraction data were printed directly to paper. Increasingly, these data are turned into a digital signal and shown on a computer screen. Digital data are easy to move to a place outside the birth room. With central fetal monitoring, data are moved to a central location in the maternity service, […]
What is wrong with shared decision making?
I’m not saying the goal of shared decision making is inherently wrong – it’s simply too little and too late.
Feminist critiques of intrapartum CTG monitoring
Exploring the values, roles, and meanings attached to fetal monitoring.
What are the gaps in our knowledge?
My wish list for new research about fetal monitoring in labour. @ProfJennyGamble
It seems we can’t agree on this one….
Whose fault is it when we can’t agree on the CTG? #EFM #CTG #CTGInterpretation #CentralFetalMonitoring
Birth Small Talk 