Don't laboring women have enough tubes, straps, and drugs already?:angryfire
FDA Clears Computerized Labor Monitoring System
By Lee Barnhart, MD Buyline Clinical Analyst
Barnev, Inc. announced that the U.S. FDA has cleared the company's new computerized labor monitoring system, the CLM, for use in the active stage of labor. The device continuously measures cervical dilation and fetal head station. These measurements are displayed real time both numerically and graphically, enabling the medical team to act based on timely information.
Traditionally, monitoring the progress of labor must be done through intrusive and repeated manual examinations. Measurements are generally obtained every one to four hours by inserting the fingers towards the cervix. Measured by finger-lengths and not objective measurements, multiple examinations even by the same person often provide varied results. These uncomfortable examinations also increase stress and anxiety for birthing mothers while increasing health risks. The CLM automates and objectifies the examination process, giving labor teams the accurate real-time information. Signals from disposable sensors located on the maternal cervix and fetal head provide objective, continuous and accurate cervical dilatation and fetal head descent data, reducing the need for frequent lady partsl examinations.
The underlying concept behind CLM is the use of ultrasound technology to calculate the distance between sensors. The CLM system monitors cervical dilation by transmitting ultrasonic waves from transducers (placed on the abdomen) to receivers affixed safely and painlessly to the mother's cervix. Thus cervical dilation is monitored continuously. Similarly, sensors affixed to the fetal crown and at external anatomical locations enable accurate monitoring of fetal head descent. In most hospitals, the attachment of an ECG electrode to the crown of the baby's head (as soon as it is accessible) is a standard practice.
The company is confident that the CLM will help obstetricians and midwives make truly informed decisions during labor, expedite their decision making process and potentially reduce the various risks of delivery resulting in significantly improved medical care, as well as a reduction in costs. In addition, use of the CLM can potentially lower the cost of malpractice, a common concern in the medical profession. The data collected by the CLM could be introduced in litigation, should such a situation arise.
Barnev marked the official launch of the CLM at the 27th Annual Meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) meeting on February 7, 2007.
I think the risks to preterm labor patients would far outweigh the benefits. I can think of numerous risks including infection, Premature artificial rupture of membranes, and as just previously mentioned irritation of the cervix/uterus causing more UCs. Not a good idea!
I don't know enough about this system to know if what I suggested is even possible. But I am not talking about rupturing the membranes in order to place the sensor on the baby's presenting part. Obviously that would be counter-productive, and in terms of monitoring a PTL patient, knowing the baby's station is just not that important. I was wondering if it is possible to place only the sensor on the cervix in order to monitor dilation. You may be right. It's presence there may be enough to stimulate further dilation. I just don't know. Having been treated for 14 weeks with frequent lady partsl exams, I know that is not ideal either.
The way I'm reading it, they refer to sensors (multiple) "affixed to the cervix" which I would think would certainly increase irritation and if piercing the tissue of the cervix (which is the only way I can think of something being attached to that body part) then I'd think there would be an increased chance of infection, particularly if present for a longer time as in preterm labor. Then there is the external sensor on the abdomen - one more strap around the belly!
Personally I think they are inventing a solution to a problem that doesn't exist - an experienced practitioner can perfectly adequately assess cervical dilation and monitor labor progress without a constant readout of millimeters of change in dilation.
Also missing the fact that in the grand scheme of things is doesn't matter whether someone is 3 or 5.... As long as they are making progress and eventually a baby comes out. I know several people who have never had a cervical exam and have babies.
Obviously there are some situations like fetal distress where it would be important to assess dilation but if I had to guess I would say when it really matters someone would want to do an actual exam to verify what the machine is saying.
Jolie, BSN
6,375 Posts
I don't know enough about this system to know if what I suggested is even possible. But I am not talking about rupturing the membranes in order to place the sensor on the baby's presenting part. Obviously that would be counter-productive, and in terms of monitoring a PTL patient, knowing the baby's station is just not that important. I was wondering if it is possible to place only the sensor on the cervix in order to monitor dilation. You may be right. It's presence there may be enough to stimulate further dilation. I just don't know. Having been treated for 14 weeks with frequent lady partsl exams, I know that is not ideal either.