In this episode of Discover Midwives, we dive into birth innovation, patient engagement, and evidence-based care with Amy Romano, midwife, healthcare leader, and founder of Primary Maternity Care. Amy shares her 22-year journey in maternal health. From her clinical practice to co-authoring Optimal Care in Childbirth, she breaks down how the clinical setting and choices impact the birthing experience.
Together, we explore the crucial differences between routine electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) and intermittent auscultation (IA), examining how less invasive monitoring techniques can safely preserve freedom of movement, reduce unnecessary interventions, and support natural physiologic birth.
In this episode, you’ll learn: The Shift to Human-Centered Care: How system design, funding, and clinical innovation can improve maternity outcomes and birth equity.
Intermittent Auscultation (IA) vs. Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM): Why continuous EFM isn’t always better for low-risk births and how it can lead to unnecessary C-sections.
Preserving Freedom of Movement: How low-intervention monitoring allows birthing individuals to listen to their bodies and move freely during labor.
Advocating for Choice: Tips for navigating birth settings and advocating for evidence-based monitoring options.
“When we replace hands-on care and presence with continuous technology, we often trade true physiological safety for a false sense of certainty.”
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