PREGNANCY-BIRTH Messages for January, 1999: Re: Continuous External Fetal Monitoring

Re: Continuous External Fetal Monitoring

From: Mary (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Thu, 28 Jan 1999 23:46:25 -0600

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>3. Is there a way to keep my doctor but sign some type of waiver
>against continuous monitoring. I must say, though, that I am not the
>type of person who "goes against the grain", and I do not want to be
>seen as a problem patient.
>
>4. Should I just find a new doctor if I can't get past this?

Hi Christy,

Tough call. I had a similar decision with my last pregnancy. My doc wanted continuous EFM and I wanted freedom to labor: walk around, shower, change positions without having to call a nurse to disconnect the monitor and then reconnect. But I was attempting a VBAC, so he was a bit more strict than usual. Naturally, like you, I would not do anything to jeopardize my baby's health. The doc was on staff at two hospitals; one 5 minutes from my front door and the other 20 minutes away. He also had privileges at a larger hospital 35 minutes away. I was due in the Minnesota winter time and the thought of driving any further than necessary was not appealing. However, I did a little research and found out that the hospital furthest away had something the other two closer hospitals did not - telemetry units. These are portable monitoring units. You can move about with them and they transmit the signal to the nurses station.

Luckily (?) I was not monitored at all. I arrived in the hospital at 4:30pm, changed into the lovely gown, headed straight for the bathroom and came out when it was time to push, a little over an hour later. There is something to be said about laboring on the toilet - it works!!

Anyway, back to your situation. Why not check with the hospitals and see if they have telemetry units available? Also, be sure to ask if they are in working order and someone there knows how to use them. I bet they are not used often.

Good luck and keep us posted!

-- Mary Shoup Pregnancy & Birth Coordinator mary.shoup@obgyn.net

P.S. Personally, if you didn't have any complications during either your last pregnancy/delivery/postpartum and this pregnancy, then *I* would be leery of this requirement. But that is only *my* opinion and I'd question the logic and find the real reason behind this...or find a new doctor - or midwife.

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