Electronic Fetal Monitoring: A Case Study

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Complications in pregnancy Assignment 1: Part B How can midwives maintain women centered care and promote autonomy when a woman is undergoing Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM)? What is EFM and why should it be women’s centered? Electronic Fetal Monitoring There are three main ways to monitor fetal well-being, the first being an external cardiotocography (CTG) which continually monitors both fetal heart rate and maternal uterine contractions. (Department of Health 2013) Another external form of fetal monitoring is intermittent auscultation (use of a Doppler) and lastly an internal fetal monitor known as a fetal scalp electrode. This is a wire that is connected to the skin on the fetal scalp; if applied correctly it picks up the heart rate and records the trace onto the CTG paper similar to the external transducer. (Pairman, S. Tracy, S. Thorogood, C, & Pincombe, J 2015) Fetal monitoring is extremely important to limit and/or minimize adverse fetal outcomes. (Department of Health 2013) Women Centred Care Everything that is done antenatally, intrapartum and postpartum has to be completed in partnership with the woman. (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, 2008) An important part of being a midwife is having a firm understanding that we have a …show more content…

(Heelan, L 2013) A Doppler is applied to the woman’s abdomen every 15-30 minutes to monitor baby’s heart rate; none of the above is done without the mother consent. The midwife simply explains the process of intermittent auscultation, why it is important the midwife is allowed to do it and finally asking for the woman’s consent. (Department of Health 2013) This is the perfect way for the mother to feel in control of her labour and an opportunity to use her autonomy. A very simple but powerful way to include her in what is a standard protocol; the same thing can also be done for the CTG or the fetal scalp

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