Fetal monitoring

In addition, die nurse assesses and records die activity of die uterus (strengtii, duration, and frequency of contractions, if any). Monitoring of the uterine contractions for strengtii and length of die contractions can be done with the use of an external monitor or by an internal uterine catheter with an electronic monitor. A fetal monitor is placed to assess the FHR. 

When oxytocin is used judiciously, serious toxicity is rare. The toxicity that does occur is due either to excessive stimulation of uterine contractions or to inadvertent activation of vasopressin receptors. Excessive stimulation of uterine contractions before delivery can cause fetal distress, placental abruption, or uterine rupture. These complications can be detected early by means of standard fetal monitoring equipment. High concentrations of oxytocin with activation of vasopressin receptors can cause excessive fluid retention, or water intoxication, leading to hyponatremia, heart failure, seizures, and death. Bolus injections of oxytocin can cause hypotension. To avoid hypotension, oxytocin is administered intravenously as dilute solutions at a controlled rate. 

Here are some thoughts we had when searching for our own practitioners. Vibe is important. Do you like the person Does she or he make you feel comfortable Do you know his or her birth philosophy Hospital births are likely to include medicine and fetal monitoring. Is the birthing center your midwife works at freestanding Or located within a hospital ... 

Do they require fetal monitoring during labor ... 

Are there showers and/or tubs available Will you be allowed in them even ifyou re having fetal monitoring ... 

Hutson, J. M., 8c Petrie, R. H. 1986. "Possible Limitations of Fetal Monitoring." Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology 29(1) 104-113. 

Tallon, R. W. 1994. "Technology Assessment Electronic Fetal Monitoring." Midwives Chronicle and Nursing Notes, May, pp. 186-188. 

Rooijakkers, M., et al., 2011. Low-complexity R-peak detection in ECG signals a preliminary step towards ambulatory fetal monitoring. In Conference Proceedings ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE... 

Song, S., et al., 2013. A low-power noise scalable instrumentation amplifier for fetal monitoring applications. In 2013 IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems (ISCAS2013), pp. 1926—1929. Available at http //ieeexplore.ieee.org/lpdocs/epic03/ wrapper.htm amumber=6572244. 

Nguyen T. The Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction and fetal monitoring changes in pregnant women treated for syphilis. Obstet Gynecol 1998 92(5) 859-64. 

---