Childbirth class comment

JessaPrimate

DH and I recently completed a generalized childbirth class. The instructor was mostly unbiased in terms of natural vs medicated labor. She passed around the different tools, epidural meedle, etc. The one thing she wouldn't pass around was the scalp needle used for internal fetal monitoring. She said that people had commented on evals that it was 'disturbing.' Hmm. 

No point to this really. Just surprised what people are adverse to. 

aylafsu88

We saw one in our Bradley class (they showed it to drive the point that you should avoid allowing the OB to use one on your LO).  I will say it was disturbing and would be very painful for your LO.  I can see where people are coming from on the evals, for me things like a epi needle or a foley bulbs do not seem as disturbing because they are not screwed into your LOs head.

judahsmommy1

They do look like they would be very uncomfortable for the baby and I would never want one used in a trivial situation or routinely. You do need to remember though, that it's not uncommon for IV's to be placed in a newborn's head as well. A newborn's scalp is very different from an adult's scalp. Most doctor's won't use internal monitoring flippantly. But there ARE times when external monitoring isn't picking up and they need a better picture of what is going on with your L.O. to make informed decisions about care. At that point, you're probably making a decision between internal monitoring and more intense interventions. I just recommend that you don't make your decisions only off of the fact that the instrument looks disturbing. An IV in an infant's scalp looks disturbing as well, but they are necessary at times. Just something to think about.

Hyaline

Well...if it's disturbing I tend to think that's all the more reason to show it.  But I tend to preference "informed" over "feel peachy about the whole thing" lol.  

PS Love your lemur  

danienross

One was used on DD.  I was never showed the needle and have no idea what it looks like.  I do know that DD had a scab on her head for well over a year because of it.  I wish I could tell you that it was a necessary intervention but it probably wasn't, like most of the interventions I received.

Nechie122

JudahsMommy makes a good point; a lot of medical equipment looks "disturbing" to people who aren't used to it. That doesn't necessarily mean that it has no medical value.

I bet many people think a natural childbirth looks "disturbing." I know not every woman screams during transition but I SCREAMED. I'm sure it was difficult to listen to.

Of course, I'm completely supportive of the judicious use of medical interventions (or I wouldn't be on this board.) And I think that's especially true with a procedure as invasive as internal fetal monitoring (and women SHOULD know how invasive it is.)  But just because something has shock value doesn't automatically mean we should discount it. 

JessaPrimate

Hyaline:

Well...if it's disturbing I tend to think that's all the more reason to show it.  But I tend to preference "informed" over "feel peachy about the whole thing" lol.  

PS Love your lemur  

I feel the same way. Ignorance is not always bliss. Obviously internal monitoring is something I will try and avoid.

The lemur is Camille, one of 8 I work with  

jellybeanjean

Nechie122:

JudahsMommy makes a good point; a lot of medical equipment looks "disturbing" to people who aren't used to it. That doesn't necessarily mean that it has no medical value.

I bet many people think a natural childbirth looks "disturbing." I know not every woman screams during transition but I SCREAMED. I'm sure it was difficult to listen to.

Of course, I'm completely supportive of the judicious use of medical interventions (or I wouldn't be on this board.) And I think that's especially true with a procedure as invasive as internal fetal monitoring (and women SHOULD know how invasive it is.)  But just because something has shock value doesn't automatically mean we should discount it. 

YES.  This.  Of course, as with just about any medical intervention, it has a time and a place.  They are not used (at least at the hosp I work/deliver at) for convenience of the doctors.  In fact, in most cases, the RNs are calling the MDs asking for one, because we CANNOT keep the baby on the monitor.  Either baby's position makes it hard, or maternal habitus, or whatever.  This is after we have at least 3-4 RNs in there trying, and baby's clearly having audible (but not traceable) decels.  To me, yes, it's not comfortable for the baby and it's a high-risk situation item, but they have their place.  Much better than rushing for a C/S for a decel that you just can't get a handle on with the external monitors.  They are much, much, much more accurate.

00jennifer00

Starbuck128:

It is disturbing. I have a feeling many women have no idea what internal fetal monitoring entails, so I wish they showed that thing to everyone. Being the b!tch I am, I would try to insist that any OB who wanted to use that on my baby, also wear one for the duration of the labor. I have the same philosophy towards unnecessary episiotomies.

 

This is the same attitude I have for being forced to push on your back.  I tell dh that any doctor that requires it across the board should not be allowed to poop for at least a week, and then asked to go while laying on their back and see how fruitless it is.

I know that the internal fetal monitor is a useful tool, but like with everything else in the obstetrical world, it is over used.