Remote cardiotocography telemonitoring within high-risk pregnancy care
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The use of remote cardiotocography telemonitoring within high-risk pregnancy care: a multi-methods study
IRAS ID
351514
Contact name
Jack Hamer
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Birmingham Women`s and Children`s NHS F
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
During pregnancy, certain conditions may arise that mean regular monitoring of both mother and baby are needed to ensure timely interventions and avoid the need for further treatments. These situations include problems with high blood pressure, recurrent reduced baby movements, obstetric cholestasis (characterised by liver-related itchiness), preterm premature rupture of membranes, reduced baby growth and a history of stillbirth. Monitoring typically involves recording the baby's heart rate over a specific duration using a cardiotocography (CTG). Such monitoring can require frequent hospital visits, often multiple times a week, which can be very time consuming. More recently, new technology has emerged, enabling remote CTG monitoring of mother and baby outside of the hospital setting, such as their own home. However, research on this technology is limited.
Our study aims to address this research gap by inviting women with the above conditions to volunteer for home CTG monitoring, alongside their routine antenatal hospital care. Following comprehensive training, eligible participants will monitor the baby's heartbeat for one hour per week for six weeks. Importantly, if any unexpected findings are detected whilst using the device, then a member of the research team will ask the participant to attend maternity triage for assessment. All device information will be transmitted securely to an online dashboard for the research team to analyse. We will additionally gather questionnaire feedback from participating women throughout the study regarding their experiences and emotions related to remote CTG monitoring.
Following completion and delivery of the baby, women will be invited to an interview to assess their views, experiences and opinions of remote CTG monitoring. Healthcare professionals will also be interviewed. Thirdly, we will conduct a nationwide questionnaire assessment of the current state of telemedicine implementation within obstetrics. We aim to assess the feasibility and acceptability of remote antenatal monitoring of mother and baby.
REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/LO/0255
Date of REC Opinion
15 Apr 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion