Delphi consensus statement on intrapartum fetal monitoring in low-resource settings

TY - JOUR

T1 - Delphi consensus statement on intrapartum fetal monitoring in low-resource settings

AU - Housseine, Natasha

AU - Punt, Marieke C.

AU - Browne, Joyce L.

AU - van ‘t Hooft, Janneke

AU - Maaløe, Nanna

AU - Meguid, Tarek

AU - Theron, Gerhard B.

AU - Franx, Arie

AU - Grobbee, Diederick E.

AU - Visser, Gerard H.A.

AU - Rijken, Marcus J.

PY - 2019/7

Y1 - 2019/7

N2 - Objective: To determine acceptable and achievable strategies of intrapartum fetal monitoring in busy low-resource settings. Methods: Three rounds of online Delphi surveys were conducted between January 1 and October 31, 2017. International experts with experience in low-resource settings scored the importance of intrapartum fetal monitoring methods. Results: 71 experts completed all three rounds (28 midwives, 43 obstetricians). Consensus was reached on (1) need for an admission test, (2) handheld Doppler for intrapartum fetal monitoring, (3) intermittent auscultation (IA) every 30 minutes for low-risk pregnancies during the first stage of labor and after every contraction for high-risk pregnancies in the second stage, (4) contraction monitoring hourly for low-risk pregnancies in the first stage, and (5) adjunctive tests. Consensus was not reached on frequency of IA or contraction monitoring for high-risk women in the first stage or low-risk women in the second stage of labor. Conclusion: There is a gap between international recommendations and what is physically possible in many labor wards in low-resource settings. Research on how to effectively implement the consensus on fetal assessment at admission and use of handheld Doppler during labor and delivery is crucial to support staff in achieving the best possible care in low-resource settings.

AB - Objective: To determine acceptable and achievable strategies of intrapartum fetal monitoring in busy low-resource settings. Methods: Three rounds of online Delphi surveys were conducted between January 1 and October 31, 2017. International experts with experience in low-resource settings scored the importance of intrapartum fetal monitoring methods. Results: 71 experts completed all three rounds (28 midwives, 43 obstetricians). Consensus was reached on (1) need for an admission test, (2) handheld Doppler for intrapartum fetal monitoring, (3) intermittent auscultation (IA) every 30 minutes for low-risk pregnancies during the first stage of labor and after every contraction for high-risk pregnancies in the second stage, (4) contraction monitoring hourly for low-risk pregnancies in the first stage, and (5) adjunctive tests. Consensus was not reached on frequency of IA or contraction monitoring for high-risk women in the first stage or low-risk women in the second stage of labor. Conclusion: There is a gap between international recommendations and what is physically possible in many labor wards in low-resource settings. Research on how to effectively implement the consensus on fetal assessment at admission and use of handheld Doppler during labor and delivery is crucial to support staff in achieving the best possible care in low-resource settings.

KW - Admission test

KW - Fetal monitoring

KW - Guidelines

KW - Intermittent auscultation

KW - Low- and middle-income countries

KW - Low-resource settings

U2 - 10.1002/ijgo.12724

DO - 10.1002/ijgo.12724

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 30582153

AN - SCOPUS:85059029497

SN - 0020-7292

VL - 146

SP - 8

EP - 16

JO - International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics

JF - International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics

IS - 1

ER -