Stepping Hill Hospital - Fetal Monitors x3

UPDATE: This project was completed in 2009.

Stepping Hill Hospital’s Maternity Unit oversees the delivery of an average of 1,560 babies each year. The hospital plans to open an Induction of Labour Suite to care for mothers whose pregnancies are overdue, and therefore at increased risk of still-birth.

The Lead Midwife has asked us to provide fetal monitors to allow monitoring of high-risk pregnancies to ensure that babies are healthy and to reassure parents. If the mother becomes stressed and anxious this can increase the length of labour and lead to greater risk to the unborn baby.

Monitoring of the fetal heart rate will allow midwives to respond immediately if there is a problem, and therefore improve the survival rates of babies in high risk pregnancies. Midwives can then take immediate action if the unborn baby becomes distressed.

These monitors are vital in reducing the risk of serious complications that can lead to still-birth or long-term effects of oxygen deprivation.

Three monitors are required, one costing £3,815 for during labour and two costing £2,648 each for monitoring prior to labour.  We have already purchased two of these, so we still need a further £2,648.