Continuous Foetal Monitoring during VBAC?

[mazzystar]

Me again with my 3rd childbirth question of the day.

Considering VBAC but extremely put off by the idea of CFM. In my previous labour I got to 10cms using only gas & air through being able to stay on my feet and keep mobile. I don't think I could cope at all if expected to keep still, let alone lie down.

So, has anyone refused CFM with a VBAC? How did they persuade the hospital team? Anyone come across any recent research (have done an archive search and refs seem to date back quite a long time).

Cheers

[Olihan]

I haven't had a VBAC but was induced with dd so I had to have continual monitoring. I was allowed to stand up and move around with the monitor on. The leads on the pad things were quite long so I could pace a little bit, although I preferred just standing and leaning against the bed.

I don't think continual monitoring necessarily means being tied to the bed when you are actively labouring, it's not like when they do the traces.

The one thing that I will say in favour of continual monitoring is that I actually found it really useful in knowing when my contractions were coming. I couldn't feel the very early bit of the contractions so by the time I got the gas and air going it was a bit ineffectual. But the monitor showed the numbers on the contractions going up and I knew when to start the gas and air, even though I couldn't actually feel the contraction at that point. It also gives your dh/dp a job - watch for the little number rising to 15 and hand over the gas and air tube!!!

[Toady]

mazzystar

CFM = more intervention

Information you need is on this website

You do not need to persuade anybody, TELL them what YOU want and dont want.

[Cappuccino]

my consultant was fine with it; I discussed it at a routine appt

but you have to get them to write it on your notes well beforehand otherwise when it comes to the day, the midwives do it anyway because they haven't the authority not to

[Daisymoo]

Nobody can make you have CFM if you don't want to at any time. You don't have to ask for permission and midwives absolutely do not have to hook you up - if they try to when you've declined it, it would be assault.

There's quite a bit of information on www.homebirth.org.uk to do with VBACs in general, whether or not you have a homebirth or not.

After a lot of consideration I had a homebirth after two previous caesareans, so obviously didn't have CEFM, but I had also been clear in meetings with the consultant and in my birth plan that if I did birth in hospital I would only have CEFM if there were good reasons for it.

Having said that, if you do decide to accept CEFM for whatever reason then it doesn't necessarily mean that you have to lie down or keep still. It is often possible to have somebody (a midwife or birth partner) hold the transducer in place to pick up the heartbeat whilst you rock, bounce, etc. Some hospitals also have telemetry equipment which is a wireless form of monitoring which gives you more freedom to move around - might be worth asking whether this is available.

[Ellbell]

I refused it mazzystar. Didn't have any problems convincing my consultant. He wrote in my notes that in his (not at all humble) opinion it was unnecessary and I had no problems with the midwives once I was in labour. I was monitored with the handheld doofer every 15 mins and would have agreed to continuous monitoring if there had been any doubt as to whether my baby was in distress. (As it was she was described as 'the least stressed person in the room at the moment' as I attempted to push her out ). I am convinced that this is the reason I had a successful VBAC, but I'm afraid I don't have any recent research. Good luck, though.

[mazzystar]

Thanks everyone. I'm aware I have a right to refuse, but I would prefer to be able to enter discussion with the consultant so that its clear my decision is an informed one. I'm glad some of you have had consultants who are open to less monitoring anyway.

[milward]

My doc wanted this but I said no & got it written down. Both times labour too fast for any monitoring.

[anniediv]

mazzystar, just posted on your other thread. I didn't have any monitoring during vbac, and cfm was never mentioned as an option.