"Time has never seemed to stretch so long as when I was waiting to hear her heartbeat,"
reflected a new mother, who sought care at West Parry Sound Health Centre following an accident that left her concerned for her unborn child’s well-being, during her recent pregnancy.
“It took time for them to locate her, and I remember someone explaining that the monitor was limited while they repositioned it, and not to worry. One of the wonderful nurses explained how far technology had come with regards to fetal monitoring and I’m happy to be able to support the [West Parry Sound Health Centre] Foundation in their efforts to bring some of those newer technologies to our community through my local hospital.”
The West Parry Sound Health Centre Foundation is currently raising funds for two new fetal heart monitors that will benefit both staff and expectant mothers when situations arise that require precise monitoring of babies in utero. Replacing dated monitors will allow for continuous, cordless monitoring, regardless of if an expectant mother is able to stay still.
“In the last year, well over half of women who delivered at West Parry Sound Health Centre required some time spent on the monitor,”
said Melissa McEwen, an experienced obstetrical nurse. “Recently while using our fetal health monitoring system, we had a baby who we recognized was not tolerating labour well. The decision was made to proceed with a C-Section, and when the baby was successfully delivered the umbilical cord was wrapped around their neck twice. This could have been missed without monitoring, and stories like this are actually very common.”
“Our current monitoring system severely limits a woman’s movements and basically confines her to bed,” she continued. “The new monitors we are hoping to fund, will make the birthing experience more enjoyable for the women in our community and could make all the difference in how a woman views and remembers her birth experience.”
Funding for these monitors would allow women freedom to be mobile, while being monitored.
Expectant mothers would be able to readjust their positions, walk and even use a bathtub or shower. Staff would be able to assist mothers with more natural pain relief options and the freedom of motion will help many labours proceed. Overall, this small change to our equipment will likely lead to more positive outcomes for both our expectant mothers and their babies.
