Fetal monitoring

[*Belle*]

OMG Christy

Heres what I experienced and it was only when I had the Epi that I had to have the internal Fetal monitor and be in the bed at all times.

1. what was involved in your fetal monitoring? i.e. doppler, trace, "antenna" etc?
When I was inducted and waters were broken and I was only monitored externally twice by a trace for 30mins each that they strap to your belly to make sure she was handling the contractions ok until I had the Epi. Ohh they used the doppler twice on me when I was in the bath.

2. Were you able to have intermittent monitoring? see above

3. Did you know ahead of time what was available to you? Had you made decisions prior to labour? No I didnt know but stated in my birthplan I only wanted fetal monitoring internally if it was necessary and told them to ask for my consent first.

4. Did you find it useful? or just more scary?

When I had the Epi I was scared at first about them putting it on her head, however it was a relief when I was going from 4cm - transition as I wanted to know how she was handling the contractions and based on my compilications during labour it was necessary at the late stage as her heartbeat dropped at one stage considerably and scared the crap out of us and I asked for an internal to check on her and Im glad I did as they figured out things were not progressing as they should be and I may have to consider a c/s. Then when I was in transition and pushing and she got stuck in my pelvis it was a good thing to monitor how she was going it was necessary and I had to have emergency c/s.

Hope this helps.
Bel
xxx