Experiences and outcomes on the use of telemetry to monitor the fetal heart during labour: findings from a mixed methods study

Watson, Kylie, Mills, Tracey ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2183-7999 and Lavender, Tina (2022) 'Experiences and outcomes on the use of telemetry to monitor the fetal heart during labour: findings from a mixed methods study'. Women and Birth, Vol 35, Issue 3, e243-e252.

Text Experiences and outcomes on the use of telemetry to monitor the fetal heart during labour.docx - Accepted Version Download (213kB)

Abstract

Background
Wireless continuous electronic fetal monitoring (CEFM) using telemetry offers potential for increased mobility during labour. United Kingdom national recommendations are that telemetry should be offered to all women having CEFM during labour. There is limited contemporary evidence on experiences of telemetry use or impacts it may have.

Aim
To gather in-depth knowledge about the experiences of women and midwives using telemetry, and to assess any impact that its use may have on clinical outcomes, mobility in labour, control or satisfaction.

Methods
A convergent parallel mixed-methods study was employed. Grounded theory was adopted for interviews and analysis of 13 midwives, 10 women and 2 partners. Satisfaction, positions during labour and clinical outcome data was analysed from a cohort comparing telemetry (n = 64) with wired CEFM (n = 64). Qualitative and quantitative data were synthesised to give deeper understanding.

Findings
Women using telemetry were more mobile and adopted more upright positions during labour. The core category A Sense of Normality encompassed themes of ‘Being Free, Being in Control’, ‘Enabling and Facilitating’ and ‘Maternity Unit Culture’. Greater mobility resulted in increased feelings of internal and external control and increased perceptions of autonomy, normality and dignity. There was no difference in control or satisfaction between cohort groups.

Conclusions
When CEFM is used during labour, telemetry provides an opportunity to improve experience and support physiological capability. The use of telemetry during labour contributes to humanising birth for women who have CEFM and its use places them at the centre and in control of their birth experience.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	WG Cardiovascular System > WG 20 Research (General) WG Cardiovascular System > Heart. Heart Diseases > WG 200 General works WQ Obstetrics > Pregnancy > WQ 200 General works WQ Obstetrics > Labor > WQ 300 General works
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > International Public Health Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2021.06.004
Depositing User:	Rachel Dominguez
Date Deposited:	22 Jul 2021 10:12
Last Modified:	02 Jul 2023 01:11
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/18467

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