New Wireless Monitoring System Offers Comfort and Increased Mobility for Mothers During Labor
11/30/2018
Willow Creek Women’s Hospital and the Family Birth Place at Northwest Medical Center-Bentonville recently added new technology for monitoring that provides mothers the freedom to safely move around during the labor process. The maternal/fetal wireless patch technology is a single patch system placed on the expectant mother's abdomen. This cord-free, belt-free solution monitors fetal heart rate, maternal heart rate and uterine activity while offering patients more freedom of movement during the birth experience. Without cords connecting the patient to a fetal monitor, laboring mothers are free to get up as needed. The wireless patch technology may also be worn in the shower and bath.
“What we like about the new wireless monitoring system is the increased comfort and mobility it allows our patients,” said Whitney Tolbert, Director of the Family Birth Place at Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville. “We are excited to be able to offer patients advanced technology that honors their preferences while providing safe and effective care. The device is small, and uses a peel-and-stick patch to stay on the mother’s abdomen. Bluetooth technology sends data to our monitors so we can effectively track contractions, maternal and fetal heart rates.”
“The wireless fetal monitor allows patients more freedom to move about the hospital and provides women in labor the opportunity to choose how they want to labor,” said Christine Picarelli, Director of Women and Infants at Willow Creek Women’s Hospital. “We continue to focus on providing technology that supports women’s choices, which include lower intervention suites and technology that’s less intrusive.”
The two hospitals have long been innovators in women’s care, becoming first and second in the state of Arkansas to earn certification as Baby-Friendly hospitals, a worldwide initiative that encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. Both hospitals also provide Neonatal Intensive Care Units to provide a higher level of care for babies born prematurely.
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