Despite few studies proclaiming its efficacy, Electronic Fetal Monitoring is still a widespread practice in the process of childbirth in the US, according to this New Republic report. The study found that women who used electronic fetal monitoring were more likely than those using traditional methods to have an epidural and deliver their babies vaginally. [M]any professionals believe that their risk of liability is reduced if they have the paper printouts as a record of fetal heart patterns," Carol Sakala, director of programs at Childbirth Connection, told me. One frequent issue is that of false positives, doctors losing the signal of a baby's heartbeat and ordering an emergency c-section or vacuum extraction, when the technology is actually at fault and the baby perfectly healthy.
Despite few studies proclaiming its efficacy, Electronic Fetal Monitoring is still a widespread practice in the process of childbirth in the US, according to this New Republic report. The study found that women who used electronic fetal monitoring were more likely than those using traditional methods to have an epidural and deliver their babies vaginally. One frequent issue is that of false positives, doctors losing the signal of a baby's heartbeat and ordering an emergency c-section or vacuum extraction, when the technology is actually at fault and the baby perfectly healthy.