Question
What are Hilary Erickson's insights on the use of fetal monitors during labor and delivery?
Answer
As an experienced OB nurse, I have shared quite a bit about fetal monitoring during labor and delivery. Fetal monitoring involves two parts: Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring and Contraction Monitoring.
Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring aims to catch any issues with the baby as labor progresses by watching their heart rate. It's a complex process and labor nurses spend a lot of time learning how to read the fetal heart monitor and respond accordingly.
Contraction Monitoring is important to know if you're contracting and how long they are. It's also crucial in association with Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring. If the baby's heart rate is dropping, we need to know if it's with a contraction or after it.
Wireless monitors are a popular topic. They can move with you, but they're not always reliable and sometimes don't work, especially for overweight patients.
Remember, it's always important to discuss your monitoring options in advance with your healthcare provider. Would you like to know more about any specific aspect of fetal monitoring?