Continuous Fetal Heart-Rate Monitoring Debated on UBM Medica's OBGYN.net

NORWALK, Conn., Dec. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Physicians on OBGYN.net, UBM Medica's site for obstetrician-gynecologists, are debating the value of electronically monitoring the heart rate of fetuses.

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In many U.S. hospitals, it is common practice to provide continuous fetal monitoring even for women who aren't yet in labor. This practice could result in unnecessary panic in patients – and physicians. Fetal heart-rate (FHR) monitoring may be a technology that can cause as much harm as good.

Many fetal heart rates will drop for a minute or two, every four or five hours. If the fetus otherwise shows no sign of distress, many in the physician community wonder if it is worth acting on.

Short-lived decelerations might just be the nature of the pre-labor condition. And since a baby's heart rate is not monitored for hours on end, it's a bit hard to tell.

"If you continuously monitor every fetus, you'll get those things in, let's say, 100 percent of the cases," writes one physician on the site. "Electronic FHR monitoring can be very helpful, but also problematic at the same time."

"As medicine becomes increasingly codified, collected around medical guidelines and checklists, it's amazing how many clinical decisions just aren't clear-cut," says Pamela Moore, senior vice president of content and strategy for UBM Medica US. "In the U.S., we need more debates like these to reveal where we can cut medical costs while also offering better patient care. Our sites make the conversations possible."

About UBM Medica

Addressing today's healthcare information needs, UBM Medica, a division of UBM plc (UBM.L), delivers strategic, integrated communications solutions and comprehensive reach—online, in print, live, and via custom programs. Improving the effectiveness of healthcare through information and education, UBM Medica provides unbiased clinical, practical, and business information for physicians, providers, payers, and patients around the world. Through journals, magazines, websites, drug databases, data services, live events , and other valuable resources, UBM Medica also delivers comprehensive communication solutions for the pharmaceutical and related industries. US websites include PsychiatricTimes.com, CancerNetwork.com, DiagnosticImaging.com, ConsultantLive.com, OBGYN.net, PhysiciansPractice.com and SearchMedica.com.  Employing more than 1,400 people with offices in 29 countries, UBM Medica is headquartered in London.  For more information, visit http://www.ubmmedica.com/.

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