Intermittent Fetal Monitoring or Continous Fetal Monitoring ?

I had never previously considered whether to have the "baby monitor" on all the time or just have it checked every now and then. I guess I figured the more monitoring the baby gets the better. With my previous births, in the hospital, this is just how it was. I was discouraged to take the monitor off, even though there was no complications. I do regret this decision now, looking back. Here is why.

*The continuous monitor limited my mobility.
* Limited mobility causes more pain during labor.
* Decreased mobility decreases circulation which decreases oxygen to the baby.  The decreased oxygen changes the heart rate of the baby, and the monitor detects the problem.

(It is ironic how the continuous monitor is the initial problem, and ends up detecting what problem it causes.)

Now I do have to say that if you have an epidural then I can understand being on a monitor because of all the risk and complications that an epidural can cause... your mobility Is going to definitely be limited, and you are adding More Risk to you and your baby and need to be monitored more closely.

* Another reason why I regret having previously been on a continuous monitor... (Not sure why) but I hated calling the nurse over and over to come "hook me back up."
I now see that if I was up and moving more then my labor would have gone a lot faster (with my first and third birth). My second was so fast, but I think it was because I was walking and sitting up until we got to the hospital and he was born.

Still more reasons...

* The doctors and nurses focus more on the monitor than the patient.
( I was a witness to this when I was in nursing school and did my labor and delivery rotation. )

Something new that I have learned...

According to new research (many websites are now saying)

Continuous monitoring Increases your chance of having and unnecessary C-Section. What ? Really ?
 

I was reading this one website that just casually mentions this in their article. It states.
(EFM stands for Electronic fetal monitoring)

"Besides the risk of an unnecessary cesarean section , other risks posed to the mother by EFM include her immobilization in bed. Immobilization simultaneously limits changing positions for comfort and causes changes in blood circulation, which decreases the oxygen supply to the fetus and can lead to abnormal changes in the FHR on the EFM that was applied to detect these changes. Another problem with the use of the EFM is that practitioners have a tendency to focus on it instead of the laboring woman. For these and other reasons, the United States Preventive Services Task Force states that there is some evidence that using EFM on low-risk women in labor might not be indicated. EFM, however, has become an accepted standard of care in many settings in the United States for management of labor. Interestingly, there has not been a reported reduction in perinatal morbidity in the United States with the use of EFM. There is a benefit to using EFM in women with complicated labors, such as those induced or augmented with oxytocin, prolonged labors, vaginal birth after having a cesarean section, abnormal presentation, and twin pregnancy. Link to website


I noticed that it basically said that even though the EFM seems to doing more harm than good, the practice in the U.S. is to still use it. ("has become accepted standard of care") 


So again I am just sharing this journey of research with you, as I learn what is best for me and my baby during pregnancy, labor, and delivery.  

Thinking Outside of the Box

The older I get (even through I am just 30) the more I see how people just think "inside the box," especially when it comes to birth and babies. I see how the pressures of society really mold your thinking. If you don't do certain things then you are frowned upon. Weather it is your kids having to be in the best school, or you haveing to give birth in a hospital, etc. Whatever is the "norm" at that time. When we go back an visit America I watch commercials and see how they really use their selling techniques. They play on moms and give the sense that if you don't use certain products that you are exposing your family to danger. For ex. If you don't use certain cleaning products then everyone is going to get sick, because germs are Everywhere, oh no! Ex. Lysol spray. I guess my point is that I see where people should really stop and actually think for themselves. Ask yourself, why am I doing this and is it Really the best thing to do. People should truly study things for yourself. This can go along with religion, but since this blog is about birth and babies, I will stick to that. Now with the Lysol spray, okay why sure not, go ahead and kill some germs, but what about immunizations, birth in a hospital, which labor positions are really the best... And Why ! So why am I rambling about thinking outside the box ? I guess I am just frustrated because I was trained as a registered nurse and have given birth to 3 children in the hospital... and I am just now learning about birthing and the way your body really works. For ex. Sitting up/walking to progress labor !Birthing classes teach you the these things, but when you get to the hospital it is all thrown out the window. It is... lay down, strap in, hook up, and wait for the epidural. Completely against everything natural. Now when I think of "going natural" I think of a person that is all organic, hippy type.. no offense to anyone. But really I the more I study for myself, and learn from experience, the more I see a benefit in natural birthing techniques. I will try to post my previous birth stories with you in another post. In short, the first with an epidural, the second- very fast barely made it to the hospital. The third, Demeral/Phenergan a few hours before birth. The first time I even questioned an epidural was when I was working in the hospital, taking care of a postpartum mom. Long story short... she had a reaction to the epidural, she quit breathing, emergency c-section, and a previously healthy baby was not expected to live... because of the epidural. This fourth little one will be born here in Tanzania, and unless there is a severe emergency, will completely natural. Sooo keep coming back to read more post on how things turn out.

Bonnie in TZ

A Place For My Thoughts

I have started this blog today to give myself a place for my thoughts about giving birth here in Tanzania, Africa. I have three healthy children, Aubrie - age 5, Ayden - age 4, and Ryan - age 2. I am only 12 weeks away from my due date with baby number four. Yea four sounds like a lot to me also. :-) I have another blog about our life here in Tanzania, but I wanted to start a new one that family doesn't really know about. I want to be able to write and post freely about the realities here in Tanzania without them freaking out more than they already are. Sorry mom. I do hope to have some followers, so please subscribe and follow me along on the journey. I like talking about Tanzania, and life here, so if you are interested, Join me on this journey, and I will do my best to keep you as informed and updated as possible.


Bonnie in TZ