October 2015 Moms

Fetal Monitoring

I'm planning on going unmedicated and yesterday my doctor told me that I'll be hooked up to a fetal monitoring machine to measure baby's heartbeat during labor.  Just wondering if I'll still be able to move around?  I really want to be able to move freely during labor and feel like they are gonna strap me into that bed like some kind of convict or something!  Is there another way that hospitals can monitor baby without me being tied to the bed??
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Re: Fetal Monitoring

  • I was strapped to the bed and not allowed to move. I recently found out they had portable ones as well as they could have used a doppler. I regret not knowing the options I could of had.
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  • I'm my prenatal classes we were told you really can't move around once in the fetal monitor. One type is strapped around your belly with two sensors, the other goes inside you and actually pokes into babies head with a tiny little needle type thing.
    Im not sure but don't think they start fetal monitoring until you have progressed to the pushing stage unless they are concerned baby is in distress.
  • At the birthing center I am going to be at they have wireless monitors that are also waterproof so you can wear them in the birthing tub. But they don't do continuous fetal monitoring unless there is an issue.
  • You can request intermittent monitoring, if your hospital allows it. 
  • Most hospitals hook you up to continuous fetal monitoring when you are admitted. I've made it clear to my Dr that I will not stay in my bed and want the freedom to move and walk around. She dais we can do intermittent or mobile monitoring so I'm not strapped up in the bed. You should really bring it up to your Dr before delivery and see what your options are.
  • My last 2 have been unmedicated,i just had a wireless fetal monitor on while i walked
  • This is YOUR birth. I wish someone would have reminded me of that with DD. You can tell them (and make sure they put it in your file) that you want only intermittent monitoring. There is absolutely no reason to be monitored the entire time unless baby is in distress. There are mobile monitors as well but sometimes there are only one or two and there aren't any available while you are in labor. When they had me hooked up I was allowed out of the bed but couldn't walk past the end of it (which made things really hard on me as walking was the only way I had been making it through the contractions before I went to the hospital). Now, obviously they need to check from time to time but the entire time is completely unnecessary and will not make for a pleasant experience. Just remember it's your birth and you have the right to tell them no. Make sure you have someone there that will advocate for you as well, because you are just going to need that support to make sure your wishes are kept. You are the mother and the one doing the work - so what you say goes! You can do this!
  • PPs are right, you can refuse the continuous monitoring. Continuous monitoring does not statistically improve outcomes in unmedicated births. Get your partner on board and advocate for yourself! You can do this girl!!
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  • At my hospital they have wireless monitors and they said you only need to be on the monitor for 20 minutes of every hour so you could move around during the other 40 minutes if you weren't on the wireless monitor. I know our wireless monitors can also go in the bathtub.
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