What to Know:
Routine continuous EFM provides no benefit for babies and increases the risk of cesarean for mothers.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that for healthy, low-risk women (almost all women), fetal heart rate be monitored with a fetoscope or Doppler every 30 minutes in active labor and every 15 minutes during pushing.
The World Heath Organization (WHO) encourages intermittent manual listening and warns that EFM is often used inappropriately.
You’ll Need Continuous EFM if:
Your labor is induced or speeded up with Pitocin.
You have an epidural.
Your baby’s heart rate changes.
You or your baby has a health problem.
How to Avoid Unnecessary Use:
Remember that routine use of continuous EFM doesn’t make labor safer for your baby.
Find a caregiver who doesn’t use continuous EFM routinely.
Talk to your caregiver about intermittent fetal monitoring.
Stay at home as long as possible in labor.
How to Keep Labor as Normal as Possible if You Need EFM:
Remember that your body knows how to protect your baby during birthing.
Continue to move as much as possible, both in and out of bed.
Ask staff to turn off the monitor’s sound.
Ask staff to turn the monitor away from you and your helpers so it doesn’t distract.
Ask to be disconnected from the monitor for regular trips to the toilet.
Remind your helpers that you are the one in birthing, not the machine.