The Electronic Fetal Monitoring Paradox — Why It’s Time to Rethink the Routine

(Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please discuss your birth plan with your healthcare provider.)

For decades, the rhythmic sound of a baby’s heartbeat on an electronic fetal monitor (EFM) has been the soundtrack of modern childbirth. Most parents and many clinicians assume continuous EFM is essential for safety. Yet a large body of high-quality evidence reveals a troubling paradox: routine EFM in low-risk pregnancies causes more harm than good.

The Promise Introduced in the 1960s–70s, continuous EFM was expected to detect fetal oxygen deprivation early and dramatically reduce cerebral palsy, perinatal death, and brain injury.

The Ev ...