Nursing
Fetal Monitor
Fetal monitor is equipment being used for fetal heart rate monitoring done during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. It serves the purpose of determining the baby’s heart rate and duration and strength of the uterus contraction (WebMD, N.D.). A stable heart rate is an indication that the baby is doing well and any instances of inconsistency with the heart could be a sign of some problems. It is different from the other equipment in terms of function considering that the monitoring can be done both externally and internally, but in most cases the monitoring is done internally through an electronic sensor that uses sound waves or through fetal auscultation. The risk factor involve in using fetal monitor is it limits the movement of the mother during labor, which opposes the common conception that freedom during labor makes an easy delivery (Adam, 2012). However, the potential benefit of using the equipment is to ensure that the baby is doing well as observed on the rate. Fetal monitor can be placed on top of the abdomen secured by elastic waistband.
Internal Fetal Scalp Electrode
The equipment is considered an internal monitoring device, which particularly determines the heart rate of the baby. It is different from the other monitoring equipment because it can only be used when the water bag has broken and the doctor will place an electrode patch to the nearest body part of the baby to the cervical opening, which in this case is the baby’s scalp. In terms of measuring the strength and duration of the contraction, a pressure catheter can be also inserted into the cervical opening. The downside of using internal fetal scalp electrode is bruising including infection, which is the reason for avoiding the use of IFE if the mother is HIV positive (Harper et al., 2013). On the other hand, the advantage of using the fetal scalp electrode is that the device can measure the heart rate at a beat-to-beat accuracy.
External Fetal Monitor
External fetal monitoring is also being used to monitor the heart rate of the baby and the strength and duration of the cervical contraction. The difference with the other method is that the monitoring can be done externally and immediately during labor, delivery, and or when conducting pre-natal examination. In addition, external monitoring is done ultrasound transducer attached on the mother’s abdomen and secured in place by an elastic waistband. In terms of risks, it was found that the continuous use of external fetal monitoring particularly during labor has a high probability of having a cesarean as compared to auscultation. On the other hand, external fetal monitoring could also determine abnormalities not only in terms of the baby’s rate heart rate, but also Apgar scores, and low risk newborn seizures.
External Uterine Monitor
The term external uterine monitor refers to the external monitoring of strength and duration of cervical contraction. It is different from the other maternity equipment in terms of function because the uterine monitor measures the uterine activity and he well being of the baby within the uterine environment (Euliano et al., 2013). The use of the equipment involves Tocotransducer B equipment, that detects pressure in he abdominal contour. The pressure-sensing device is attached on the abdomen secured by an elastic strap. External uterine monitor is beneficial in terms of accurately monitoring the baby’s condition during labor and immediately determines the changes in the uterine environment that is likely to affect normal delivery. On the other hand, the equipment is susceptible to false-positive results that could cause miscommunication among the attending physicians.
IUPC
The term stands for intrauterine pressure catheter, which is a device used to measure the uterine contraction by placing the device into the amniotic space (O’Connell, 2015). It is the internal counterpart of the external uterine monitor and what makes IUPC differ from the other method is that the intrauterine pressure catheter measures the pressure directly within the amniotic space through a pressure transducer located at the tip of the catheter. The method allows the contraction strength to be quantified. The advantage of using IUPC is that the method can detect any suspected cases of labor dystocia by accurately interpreting the signal in Montevideo units of MVUs in which the reading determines the adequacy of normal labor progression. However, it is not recommended for routine because it is costly and the invasiveness of the procedure involve limits the use of IUPC for specific cases only such as high-risk pregnancy.
References
Adam, J. (2012). The Future of Fetal Monitoring. Rev Obstet Gynecol, 5(3-4), e132–e136. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3594859/
Euliano, T., Nguyen, M., Darmanjian, S., McGorray, S., Euliano, N., Onkala, A., & Gregg, A. (2013). Monitoring uterine activity during labor: a comparison of 3 methods. American Journal Of Obstetrics And Gynecology, 208(1), 66.e1-66.e6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2012.10.873
Harper, L., Shanks, A., Tuuli, M., Roehl, K., & Cahill, A. (2013). The risks and benefits of internal monitors in laboring patients. American Journal Of Obstetrics And Gynecology, 209(1), 38.e1-38.e6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2013.04.001
O'Connell, N. (2015). Intrauterine Pressure Catheter Placement: Background, Indications, Contraindications. Emedicine.medscape.com. Retrieved 12 August 2016, from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1998044-overview?pa=3g7vpSaBvssTAjnPa3gEcTVWSZrclNYEITzmicNsgQIOSIfpUWwxJsewlhM%2BPOrLRFQ3SdLoXYdiCNwSwojVUFGNDqtpq3248G9CjS7rQtE%3D
WebMD,. Electronic Fetal Heart Monitoring. WebMD. Retrieved 12 August 2016, from http://www.webmd.com/baby/electronic-fetal-heart-monitoring#1
