Pregnant women's views about choice of intrapartum monitoring of the fetal heart rate: a questionnaire survey

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the degree of choice pregnant women at low obstetric risk had in making informed decisions on the use of intrapartum fetal monitoring techniques.

Methods: An exploratory descriptive design was used as part of a larger, multi-method study. A total of 63 pregnant women at low obstetric risk were approached to complete antepartum and postpartum questionnaires. Sixty-three women completed antepartum questionnaires, 38 of these 63 women also completed postpartum questionnaires. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results: More than half of the sample wanted electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) in labor despite being classified at low risk for obstetric complications. Having choices and being in control was important to all respondents whilst in labor. Despite this, almost all respondents stated that midwives had not given them a choice of monitoring method. More than a half of the sample received some form of EFM.

Conclusions: Intrapartum fetal monitoring practices for women with normal pregnancies do not reflect current evidence. Women still expect EFM in labor. Choice and control are very complex issues and as such are difficult to measure.