Natural Birth

Electronic fetal monitor

With the holidays approaching fast I am getting myself prepared for unsupportive comments about our decision to have an unmediated birth in a birth center that does not use Efm. It started yesterday after my mom must have talked to one of her sisters and was questioning me about not using an Efm in case of fetal distress.  I tried to reassure her that the baby would be checked with Doppler or fetascope frequently, that Efm is continuous ultrasound, it restricts your movement and ability to labor in water, and leads to csection.  Anything I am forgetting?  I am considering not attending Xmas family stuff just to avoid the negativity....

 

Mom is supportive but others aren't. 

Re: Electronic fetal monitor

  • If you can swing it, a simple "It's none of your business" will do.  Seriously I won't even mention my birth plans to anyone I might think would be unsupportive because I really don't feel like explaining everything.  I would just avoid the topic all together if possible, but if someone brings it up you can mention the points you stated above and if that doesn't work just say your body, your decision.
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  • imageAimnJus917:
    If you can swing it, a simple "It's none of your business" will do.

    This. 

  • It sounds like you know the cons of EFM.  People will always comment about your choice to have a natural birth.  Just let their comments roll off your shoulders and use their negativity to strengthen your resolve to have a natural birth.  I got alot of negativity for wanting a natural birth. It even got to the point that DH and I refused to discuss our birth plans with anyone.  I ended up having a med-free, intervention free birth and I told everyone about it afterwards, so all those nay-sayers could eat it!
  • If it's something they're questioning and you feel like providing them with additional info/explanation and they aren't accepting it I would just end the conversation and encourage them to do some research on their own if they're interested in finding out more about why EFM shouldn't be routinely used.  All that matters is that you're confident in your choices.

    I wouldn't avoid people though, it's not really their place to have an opinion.  I honestly don't mind discussing my birthing choices or educating people on why I'm making those choices, BUT if for some reason they aren't convinced by my reasoning I don't really care.  It's not their baby, it's not their body, they aren't entitled to have an opinion on it and if they do, and it's a negative one, they're welcome to keep it to themselves.  I know that I'm much more educated on the birthing process than they are so there's not much I can do if they don't accept my reasoning.  It's then up to them to educate themselves if they're actually interested.  

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  • imageAimnJus917:
    If you can swing it, a simple "It's none of your business" will do.  Seriously I won't even mention my birth plans to anyone I might think would be unsupportive because I really don't feel like explaining everything.  I would just avoid the topic all together if possible, but if someone brings it up you can mention the points you stated above and if that doesn't work just say your body, your decision.

    This. And tell your mother to keep her mouth shut, too, so she doesn't put you in this very uncomfortable conversation.

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  • My friend is an LD nurse and she says that continuous fetal monitoring hasnt been shown to improve outcomes for mother or child when compared to periodic monitoring via doppler. It is CYA practice, but not evidence based. I have read studies confirming this but dont have links handy.
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  • imageannabelle.27:
    My friend is an LD nurse and she says that continuous fetal monitoring hasnt been shown to improve outcomes for mother or child when compared to periodic monitoring via doppler. It is CYA practice, but not evidence based. I have read studies confirming this but dont have links handy.

     

    This is what I was going to say. You can add this to your list of arguments. However I think you should just say you would prefer not to discuss this since your family seems like they are going to be unsupportive.

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  • What Annabelle posted is great if you want to educate. If you want to just shut down the conversation, sometimes referring people to a resource can help. I think that referring people to this book is great: https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Womans-Guide-Better-Birth/dp/0399525173

    I would say something like, "I didn't realize that you were so interested in childbirth statistics. There is this great book called..."

  • imageannabelle.27:
    My friend is an LD nurse and she says that continuous fetal monitoring hasnt been shown to improve outcomes for mother or child when compared to periodic monitoring via doppler. It is CYA practice, but not evidence based. I have read studies confirming this but dont have links handy.


    All of this! I have been assured of this by several different L and D RNs and many midwives.
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  • If they want a scientific viewpoint that agrees with you, the World Health Organization says this: "With the exception of reduction in the incidence of neonatal seizures, there were no short- or long-term benefits of routine continuous electronic fetal monitoring. The use of electronic fetal monitoring was associated with significant increases in the rates of caesarean section and assisted vaginal delivery."

    Here's the link: https://apps.who.int/rhl/pregnancy_childbirth/childbirth/routine_care/jncom/en/index.html

    Sorry I tried to make it clicky but it wasn't working.

    I often refer to WHO, they're surprisingly pro-natural birth. 

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  • I feel for you.  Just wanted to add that you really don't owe anyone an explanation.  If I were you I might consider saying something like, "I know you don't agree with me, and since it seems like we won't ever change each other's minds on this particular issue, perhaps we can agree to disagree and let it go rather than continue debating it".
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