Doula

Answer: A - No research has proven that continuous electronic fetal monitoring improves outcomes for babies or moms. Developed to catch early changes in heart rate that might signal oxygen deprivation for the fetus, fetal monitoring typically leads to additional interventions such as labor augmentation, IV fluids, assisted delivery, and even Caesarean surgery. External monitors do allow for exams to be intermittent, while internal monitors are, by their nature, invasive and continuous. If the healthcare facility does not have telemetry for these machines, the mother will need to stay in or near the bed, and will not be able to move adequately to relieve pain. This can cause a slowing of labor that may lead to additional interventions.