If you had to use an internal monitor to measure your contrax....?

[konayossie]

I'm planning a VBAC and learned that my hospital requires continuous EFM for that (sigh). In my first labor, they were unable to pick up my contrax on an external monitor and eventually forced me into getting the internal pressure thing, which then of course, tied me to the 2-foot radius around the bed instead of being able to use the telemetry monitor.

My question is if that happened to you (couldn't measure contrax with external monitor) in one labor, were they able to get it in another labor? I'm not sure what causes the external monitor to not measure correctly so don't know if it would be different or not. FWIW, I had hardly any fat on my belly the first time (don't anticipate I will be much different this time)--don't know if that's a contributing factor or not.

[MegBoz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by konayossie 

I'm planning a VBAC and learned that my hospital requires continuous EFM for that (sigh).

EFM = electronic fetal monitor. Are you sure monitoring ctrx is required as well - in addition to monitoring fetal heart tones?

[konayossie]

Yep, I'm sure. I specifically asked the midwife b/c I was worrying since it was an issue in my first birth. She said the issue is that the heartbeat doesn't give them a full picture without seeing what the contrax is doing. However, now that I think about it, if that's the case, then why would using a fetoscope for intermittent monitoring provide as good of outcomes as continuous EFM if it really was necessary to have a picture of the contrax as well?

Hmmmm.... I guess I still would like to hear from people who've "required" the internal pressure monitor, as I'll be battling hospital policy (even if it is stupid policy).

[Maggieluciasmom]

For my hospital VBAC, I knew I'd have to have EFM, but I only learned when I arrived that I needed to have another internal monitor for the contrax.  This thing scratched my baby boy's head but I was told in the throws of labor that it was required. Not sure if that's the same thing.

Good luck!

[allisonrose]

With my first, I was on pit and required to have continuous EFM. They also had monitored my contractions. The nurse kept readjusting the monitor because I was leaning over and messing with the signal (telemetry units) but I believe it was the heartbeat that was more of a concern. Luckily they never recommended internal monitoring.

With my recent child, I ended up transferring to the hospital and the monitor wasn't picking up my contractions well so the doctor pushed for an internal monitor. They are annoying.

So while it's in a different order, I'm an example of "needing" in one labor and not in another. (And I do have a decent amount of fat on my belly.)

[AlexisT]

Originally Posted by MegBoz 

Quote:

Originally Posted by konayossie 

I'm planning a VBAC and learned that my hospital requires continuous EFM for that (sigh).

EFM = electronic fetal monitor. Are you sure monitoring ctrx is required as well - in addition to monitoring fetal heart tones?

People call it EFM, but it's a bit of a misnomer. The other term--much more common in the UK--is cardiotocography. Toco - contractions. It measures contractions as well as the baby's heartbeat. This way, you can "see" the heart rate mapped to the contraction patterns. That's why there are 2 sensors. Sometimes, contractions can't be monitored well externally and an IUPC is needed.

[NewBeginnings1]

Did you have back labor? I've heard that can cause difficulties with monitoring ctx. If so, maybe a more favorable baby position will make external monitoring possible. 

[konayossie]

No, I don't think I had back labor (I say "think" b/c I was using Hypnobabies and really never felt pain at all, although I was having good contrax when they put the internal monitor in). However, there was a discrepancy between the midwife's report about the baby's birth and the surgeon's report (midwife said he was OA and the OB said OP), so I guess I can't be absolutely sure he wasn't malpositioned.

[Lisoula]

I had an internal monitor for contractions (called an IUPC) for my second VBAC.  The first time I had strictly external monitors.  It really is the skill of the nurse that determines how well the external (toco) traces contractions.  Rarely does the amount of "fluff" on a mama's tummy determine how well the external monitors works.  Best of luck mama.....hopefully the external ones work well for you this time so you can use the telemetry!