Electronic Fetal Monitoring using telemetry REC ref number 13/EE/0409
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The views of antenatal women on being recruited into a study investigating fetal monitoring using telemetry.
IRAS ID
139566
Contact name
Kylie Watson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
Continuous fetal heart rate monitoring is recommended and used in a wide variety of labour situations (NICE, 2007). The majority of these situations are for women who are deemed more ‘high-risk’ and whose babies may be at more risk of problems during labour. Traditional continuous electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) involves the use of two transducers attached to the abdomen that are connected to a larger machine via leads which records and prints the fetal heart rate and contractions. Movement of the woman in labour is restricted to the length of the leads and many women tend to remain on or near the bed whilst the monitor is in place. EFM by telemetry also employs two transducers on the abdomen but information about the fetal heart rate and contractions is sent to the main machine wirelessly. The woman is able to mobilise freely and is able to be immersed in water. For those women that require continuous EFM in labour the ability to mobilise freely and/or use water may reduce the need for epidural analgesia and reduce the length of labour. The evidence for the effectiveness of telemetry compared with conventional monitoring is varied, over 20 years old, and of low quality.
This small study will contribute to determining the right methodology to be used (pilot randomised controlled trial or prospective cohort study)in a larger study investigating whether the use of telemetry for monitoring the fetal heart in labour has any effect on outcomes such as length of labour and use of pain relief. The study will interview women who are pregnant to gauge their understanding of fetal monitoring using telemetry and their thoughts about theoretical recruitment into a larger study.REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/NW/0808
Date of REC Opinion
27 Nov 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion