In response to Khalid's comment regarding my "speculation of increased risk
of infection from internal fetal monitors" (Intra-uterine catheters and
fetal scalp monitors)...the following references support the position that
such invasive instrumentation dramatically increases the risk of
transmission for infectious disease (specifically sexually transmitted
disease, which vaginal B-strep is included):

"Intra-uterine catheters, fetal scalp electrodes, fetal blood sampling and
vacuum extraction are to be avoided as far as possible, because of the risk
of transmission of infection to the fetus." in Alexander, 1989 p. 284.

"Internal monitoring has its own set of disadvantages and
complications...Studies have shown that babies monitored internall have a
0.3% to 4.5% chance of developing an infection at the site where the
electrode was inserted."  in Samuels and Samuels 1993 p. 362.

Alexander, J.  1989 "Sexually Transmitted Diseases"  in Myles Textbook for
Midwives.  1989. page 284.

Christensen, KK, Christensen, P. and Ferrieri P (eds) 1985  "Neonatal Group
B streptococcal infections.  Karger, Basel.

Forbes, PB 1986 "The significance of AIDS in obstetric practice."  British
J of Hospital Medicine, 36(5): 342-246.

Goodall B et al 1987 "Introduction to Hepatitis B and nursing guidelines
for infection control."  Royal College of Nursing, London.

Haverkamp, A et al. 1976 "The Evaluation of continuous Fetal Heartrate
Monitoring in High-Risk Pregnancy."  Am J of Ob and Gyn, 125: 310

Jenner EA 1986 "AIDS: Aspects of infection control."  Midwife Health
Visitor and community Nurse, 22: 181-84.

Kelso, H. 1978 "An assessment of continuous fetal heartrate monitoring in
labor."  Am J. of Ob and Gyn, 131: 526.

Lauersen, N. 1983.  Modern Management of High-Risk Pregnancy.  Plenum.

Neutra, R. et al. 1978. "The Effect of Fetal Monitoring on Neonatal Death
Rates."  New England J. of Med, 299: 324.

Pinching AJ, Jeffries DJ 1985.  "AIDS and HTLVIII/LAV infection:
Consequences for obstetrics and perinatal medicine."  Brit J. of OB and
Gyn, 92: 1211-1217.


Samuels, M and Samuels, N.  1993.  The Well Pregnancy Book.  NY:  Fireside Pub.

Schifrin, B. 1982. "The Fetal Monitoring Polemic."  Clinics in
Perinatology, 9: 399.

Wood, C et al. 1981. " A Controlled Trial of Fetal Heartrate Monitoring in
a low risk Obstetric Population." Am J. of Ob and Gyn, 141: 527.


If you don't like these references or want more, I can come up with more,
but I'll need a day or two.
RespectfuLLLy disagreeing,
Chris


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