Yes, there are different types of electronic fetal monitoring, including external, internal, and a combination of the two. Monitoring can be either periodic or continual. EFM records maternal contractions and the unborn baby’s heart rate and can signal fetal distress during pregnancy, labor, and delivery.
While practitioners often use EFM as a matter of routine, experts in the field generally recommend it only when the pregnancy is high-risk. Suppose you or your child suffered losses due to EFM that was poorly considered or improperly applied. In that case, you need the professional counsel of an experienced Lancaster medical malpractice attorney in your corner.
External Fetal Monitoring
The most common form of electronic fetal monitoring is external, and it involves the use of elastic straps that secure an ultrasound device over the mother’s abdomen to measure the baby’s heart rate and place a pressure gauge further up to measure the frequency of her contractions – without measuring their intensity.
While external EFM can play an essential role in high-risk pregnancies, it’s less effective in pregnancies that aren’t identified as high-risk and can lead to issues like the following:
- False alarms signaling fetal distress can amplify anxiety and, as a result, can put undue pressure on both mother and child
- The use of forceps, a vacuum device, or a cesarean section before it’s medically indicated
External EFM restricts the mother’s movement to her bed or chair – unless wireless monitoring is available.
Internal Fetal Monitoring
Internal EFM is more invasive than external EFM, but it can be helpful when a continuous rather than periodic readout of the baby’s heart rate is warranted. The internal monitor attaches to the baby’s scalp and can potentially cause scalp injuries, including infection. Internal EFM restricts the mother to her bed, is only available once her water has broken, and is generally reserved for high-risk pregnancies that require more precise monitoring.
Usages for Fetal Monitoring
EFM is generally reserved for labor and delivery. Still, it can also be used during pregnancy to help assess a baby’s health, such as after the mother has experienced trauma to her abdomen. EFM can also help identify when a mother is in actual labor – as opposed to having irregular contractions that don’t progress or contractions that subside when the mother gets up and moves or changes her position.
You Need an Experienced Lancaster Medical Malpractice Attorney on Your Side
Suppose you or your child was injured because of negligent electronic fetal monitoring. In that case, the resourceful Lancaster medical malpractice attorneys at Marzella & Associates encourage you to reach out for their skilled legal representation. We’re well acquainted with the legal intricacies of EFM cases, and we will spare no effort in our quest to obtain just compensation on your behalf. For more information about what we can do to help you, please don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us online or call us at 717-876-8681 to schedule a free consultation today.