Does Current Fetal Monitoring Leave too Much Room for Error?

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Does Current Fetal Monitoring Leave too Much Room for Error?

Having a baby is normally a joyous time. Parents are usually expecting the labor and delivery to be relatively smooth, the medical staff to properly monitor the baby and mother and take care of any potential issues as they arise. According to MedicalNewsToday.com, electronic fetal monitoring is used in more than 85 percent of the 4 million live births in the U.S. every year. The technology, which became popular after it was introduced in the 1970s, is still what is most often used today but may be in need of some modifications. The devices became widely accepted and used before there were really any results to show the benefits and risks of such a product.

According to a recent report by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the use of fetal monitoring does not always produce positive outcomes. Some of the adverse circumstances sometimes caused by the use of current fetal monitoring are higher incidence of caesarean births and need for forceps or vacuum during vaginal delivery. Also, use of the monitoring devices has failed to make doctors more aware of lack of oxygen to the fetus, as it was originally supposed to do. This kind of monitoring is important because when oxygen to the fetus is cut off, it can cause the chronic condition cerebral palsy and even death. The report points out that even though the monitoring is used, CP rates remain almost unchanged since World War II. New guidelines require a more structured method of monitoring, with particularly close monitoring for woman at high risk of complications like those with preeclampsia (hypertension in pregnancy), type 1 diabetes, or possible fetal growth restriction (fetus unable to achieve potential size).

As explained in an article on Obgyn.net, the new guideline are expected to help medical staff meet some certain goals. One such revision was to clarify the terms of the monitoring, which have until now, remained quite widely up for interpretation, causing room for error. They have devised a new three tiered monitoring system to help medical staff be more efficient and consistent in their fetal screening. Level one readings are considered normal and do not require intervention; level two are cause for closer screening and possible testing to establish if there is an issue that needs to be dealt with, and level three readings are definitely abnormal and require intervention. This intervention may include giving oxygen to the mother, changing her position, ceasing labor interventions, treating the mother's hypotension, or immediately delivering the baby. It is up to the medical staff to make the determinations that are safest for the baby and the mother.

The majority of births go quite smoothly and result in a happy, healthy baby and jubilant new parents. Sometimes, though, errors occur and the baby sustains some harm. If this type of birth injury has happened to your child you should speak with an attorney. We are experienced in birth injury cases and can provide you with a free assessment of your case.

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