CONTINUOUS CERVICOMETRY - COMING SOON TO A HOSPITAL NEAR YOU?
The “BirthTrack System” for continuous labor monitoring has been approved by the FDA, and its manufacturer, Barnev Inc., wants you to know it is the greatest thing to happen to birth since the electronic fetal monitor.
The system goes a step beyond the fetal scalp electrode which is “already standard practice at most hospitals.” In addition to the sensor on the fetal scalp, the BirthTrack System places two more sensors on the mother’s cervix to continuously monitor dilation and fetal descent in real-time on the nearby monitor.
It’s sure to be universally popular with maternity patients and their partners. As the Barnev website says, “Limiting the number of intrusive, vaginal examinations provides the mother-to-be with the comfort and privacy she desires. The partner becomes an informed participant. The displayed data allows them to follow the labor process together minimizing anxiety and contributing to a relaxed atmosphere in the labor room.” What could be cozier than watching your real-time cervical dilation on a bedside monitor together? The partner can “participate”! Just like he does in the Sunday afternoon football game!
Barnev can’t prove that the Birth Track System will reduce Cesarean section rates - not “yet,” anyway. They think it might, though, pointing out that the “continuous, real-time data” will allow obstetricians to identify non-progressing labor sooner and facilitate “early decision-making.” Doesn’t sound terribly compatible with cesarean reduction, but Barnev can promise a lower risk of malpractice, and that’s what’s really important. One of BirthTrack’s benefits is “full documentation” of the labor process, which can be used as a “support tool during litigation.” This innovative new device, Barnev promises, “holds potential to become the Standard Method of Care in Women’s Healthcare.” Just like the electronic fetal monitor, a handy “support tool during litigation” which just happens to increase cesarean sections and instrumental deliveries without improving neonatal outcomes.
Hat tip: Rixa at The True Face of Birth
This is nauseating. Seriously. This is the new norm for “care” during labor. Just another CYA move designed to further control women and protect docs.
When will they start caring about babies. I mean really caring.
I’m sputtering with rage. Just one more nail in the coffin for traditional medicine for me. AAAAAaaaaarrrrrrrrggggghhhhh!
This sounds exactly like something that would become part of the Standard of Care in modern maternity practice - it’s invasive, uncomfortable, high-tech, replaces the need for direct patient contact time, and is based on a technology which has already been shown to cause more harm than help.
All in all, a doctor’s dream (and a laboring mom’s nightmare).
The saddest part is that most women won’t see through the smoke and mirrors to hidden agenda of this intervention - they will follow their doctor and their broken system in the belief that doctors always make decisions in the best interest of their patients.
I can only hope that one of its perceived “benefits” backfires in a big, big way. The “full documentation” of the labor process may actually lead to higher rates of litigation in that it may reveal unacceptable lag times between noteworthy events on the tape and hospital staff action.
In effect, if the staff doesn’t act quickly enough with such a detailed report of potential complications, it may build a case against them rather than having the desired CYA effect.
One can only hope.
Will it beep whenever the laboring mother isn’t dilating quick enough????
I didn’t think things could get any worse but I suppose they always can. I wonder how much higher the section rate will rise once this handy little machine in implemented?
Have a look at the website its insane.. Now i am truley terrified of haveing a child in the hospital.. Instead of have adoctor do thier job they have this.. What is next a robot to deliver a child.. This is sick