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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

would anyone who had continuous monitoring in labour please answer a simple question for me?

37 replies

GoldenGreen · 19/09/2012 20:04

Hello - am asking for a friend - could you tell me how easy it is to move around whilst wearing the belt, and also how far away from the machine/bed can you get while wearing it - can you move away several feet, for example?

TIA - I did actually have this with ds when I first got to the hospital but I didn't move around at that point and just stayed on the bed so don't know how long the wires were!

OP posts:

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DrSeuss · 19/09/2012 20:21

Don't think you can get off the bed but then I didn't try. DH says he thinks about 1 to 1.5 m.

exexpat · 19/09/2012 20:23

I think it depends. I was pretty much stuck on the bed because the baby's position (back to back) meant that as soon as I moved the monitor lost the heartbeat and alarms went off.

SchrodingersMew · 19/09/2012 20:25

Not easy at all to move, you could in theory move a couple of feet from the bed but the movement would mean you would probably lose the trace. I did get off the bed and on the ball with mines but it had to be moved loads as they kept losing it.

They ended up giving DS a clip (screw type thing they clip into their scalp) if I knew how horrid it sounded I would have said no, also not that easy to move with as you have a big great wire hanging from inside you.

SchrodingersMew · 19/09/2012 20:25

Mind you, like exexpat my DS was also back to back.

plantsitter · 19/09/2012 20:27

I was on a birthing ball while being monitored, but had a brilliant midwife who was prepared to get herself into odd positions to keep the monitoring thingies in place. Definitely couldn't get a few feet away from the bed, though.

DawnOfTheDee · 19/09/2012 20:27

I had continuous monitoring and couldn't move off the bed. Even keeping the trace steady while lying down proved difficult due to baby's position (back to back and very high up as it turned out).

thatsthebadger · 19/09/2012 20:27

I stayed on the bed but i didn't test how far i could have gone. I did kneel and try a variety of positions though and mw accommodated my wishes on that by holding the monitors in place when necessary.

GlesgaRocket · 19/09/2012 20:30

I was stuck on the bed - back to back baby with the belt on, plus drip in my hand. Would probably have been easier if i'd been able to move around.

Herbsmum · 19/09/2012 20:30

If they need to monitor you constantly then likely you won't be all that mobile anyway as probably have an epidural or a clip on. Yes itis possible to be mobile with constant monitoring but may affect the trace/ contact and you would be severely limited by lead lengths. In my experience they don't monitor constantly unless it is warranted. Why would you take the risk?

ThisIsMummyPig · 19/09/2012 20:36

I could sit next to the bed ie on a chair - I did try a ball, but the wires kept coming out of the machine. I actually had it both times, and didn't really get off the bed while it was on. With DD1 I went on to have an epidural, so couldn't move anyway, with DD2 they decided it was so inconclusive they actally took it off while I was pushing.

I remember the consultant with DD2 saying it was intervention for the sake of it (or something similar) so she didn't think it was warranted in that case.

Original poster

GoldenGreen · 19/09/2012 20:38

thank you for all the replies - very good points re: baby's position being important here. Also great to hear about the mws who held the pads in place to allow movement.

OP posts:

lindsey077 · 19/09/2012 20:39

I'm trying for a VBA2C in a few weeks and am determined to keep as active during labour as possible. After talking to the consultant and my midwife a few weeks ago they said if I go into labour naturally I can have telemetry which is wireless monitoring and you can go anywhere in the room/bathroom and also use water in labour. If this is an option for your friend it sounds much more preferable to the wired monitoring/clip that I had in my first labour.
Hope this is of some help.

LiegeAndLief · 19/09/2012 20:46

I had a wireless monitor (like Lindsey described) which allowed me to move wherever I wanted, could even go to the toilet down the corridor with it on. It was fantastic and allowed me to remain upright through the whole of my labour. HOWEVER, I only got it because I asked for it - apparently the hospital only had one so they didn't offer it out, you had to know it was there and request it! Might be worth asking for.

Mine was a high risk VBAC with pre-eclampsia, so I really didn't want to decline the monitoring. I'm sure the telemetric monitor made a massive difference to my labour.

Sophiathesnowfairy · 19/09/2012 20:48

I was able to go on a birthing ball and move around enough by the side of the bed with a supportive midwife.

Original poster

GoldenGreen · 19/09/2012 20:49

telemetry sounds like the way to go if available - thank you

OP posts:

littlebluechair · 19/09/2012 20:50

I was able to move around, stand, ball etc but obv not pace the corridors.

NoodieRoodie · 19/09/2012 20:50

I had wireless monitoring (HB transferred due to violent vomiting for many hours and I needed it to stop!!)

I mooched all around the room and spent loads of time sitting on the toilet as it was the comfiest position for me.

The only issue I remember is that as DS moved down they had to keep adjusting the belt further down to keep a trace

MsIngaFewmarbles · 19/09/2012 20:52

It might be worth your friend asking.if they have wireless monitoring at the unit, a lot of big units have a set now.

Sophiathesnowfairy · 19/09/2012 20:52

Oooliege at which hospital did you get a wireless monitor? Am expecting number 4 in 7 weeks and know I will need to be monitored but also know my labour will be much smoother if I am able to move around.

Thelittlestranger · 19/09/2012 20:53

I just had a successful VBAC aftere two previous Sections and therefore 'had' to be monitored constantly. I requested the wireless one and got in the pool with it...and could walk around.

Not that I did a lot of walking around whilst i was having what seemed like just one constant contraction..!

MummysHappyPills · 19/09/2012 20:56

Sorry to hijack thread, but under what circumstances would you need continuous monitoring. I would like a VBAC for next dc after I had ELCS for breech dd, no other complications.

Do all VBACs need continuous monitoring? This is all hypothetical as am not even ttc yet!

SchrodingersMew · 19/09/2012 21:01

I "needed" monitoring because I was induced but in the hospital I went to it seems pretty standard that most people are monitored.

MousyMouse · 19/09/2012 21:06

not much, as cables too short and belt slipping with each contraction.

MummysHappyPills · 19/09/2012 21:08

That's the only thing that worries me about vbac. I hated being in hospital when I had my cs, our local one is dire. If I could have it my way I would have a homebirth, but I know that will be an impossibility for a vbac. And I also realise the less mobile I am the more likely I would need interventions/another CS. Sigh. I don't even like lying/sitting still when I have period pain so I can't imagine it is nice when in labour, so if nothing else I am sure I would have less tolerance for the pain and probably need pain relief.

Hope it all goes well for you op.

MaybeMabel · 19/09/2012 21:11

Early on I was naughty and when alone unplugged and when for the odd stroll!

Later on I had an epidural, drip etc and the belt was the least of the things keeping me on the bed.

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