Indications and Contraindications
Indications for direct measurement of uterine contractions include:
Inability to monitor contractions well enough to assess timing of decelerations
Inability to monitor frequency of contractions as in the obese patient
Evaluation of contraction strength if patient’s labor process fails to progress
Requirements are similar to that of FSE, including:
Rupture of membranes (spontaneous or artificial)
Engaged vertex presenting part
Cervical dilatation of at least 1-2cm
Patient's ability to cooperate with sterile vaginal exam (SVE)
Contraindications to placement include:
Maternal infection (chorioamnionitis)
Active maternal genital herpes or HIV
Non-vertex fetal presentation
Any condition that precludes vaginal delivery
Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding