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.
Women planning a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) often seek to avoid negative experiences with CTG monitoring. This new mini-course offers reliable information on fetal monitoring options during VBAC, cutting risks down to realistic size, and providing communication strategies with care providers.
Fetal monitoring guidelines around the world recommend CTG use in labour when women are considered to be a higher risk for a bad outcome for the baby that is linked to low oxygen levels in labour. Regular readers of my blog will have seen me write repeatedly about the lack of great evidence to back this up. There’s no compelling research showing better outcomes with CTG use for women planning […]
Short term thinking is a problem in maternity care. It seems to me as though a good five minute Apgar score, or normal cord blood gases, is the primary end point in far too many studies. These things are not inappropriate outcomes to aim for, but they aren’t enough and can end up meaning professionals in clinical practice lose sight of the big picture. As a parent and birthing woman, […]
Birth Small Talk 