Comparison of a Newly-Designed and Conventional Strap Used for Cardiotocograph Recoding in Preterm Labor

Objective: 1) To compare the outcomes of fetal heart rate monitoring using a newly-designed elastic cardiotocograph (CTG) bandage and a conventional ultrasound transducer bandage, and 2) to evaluate the satisfaction of the participants and labor staff using the newly-designed elastic CTG bandage compared to those using the conventional ultrasound transducer bandage. Materials and Methods: The researchers invented the newly-designed elastic CTG bandage and conducted a quasi-experimental study with thirty-four pregnant women gestational age under 37 weeks using both the newly-designed elastic CTG bandage and the conventional ultrasound transducers. A comparison of the outcomes of fetal heart rate monitoring between the two methods was done using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Then, two instruments (the CTG band satisfaction questionnaire for women, and the CTG band satisfaction questionnaire and fetal heart rate graph absence record for the labor staff) were administered to the respective participants. They were adapted for the study based on the diffusion of innovation model, which postulated that an innovation was generally adopted when five main factors (compatibility, complexity, trial-ability, observability, and relative advantage) were met. Results: The median score of signals of fetal heart rate loss when solely using the newly-designed elastic CTG bandage was only 1.0 times and the conventional ultrasound transducer bandage was 3.0 times. There was a significant difference (p<0.001). Most members of the labor staff were satisfied with the suitability of the newly-designed elastic CTG bandage. Conclusion: The newly-designed elastic CTG bandage improved the quality of fetal heart rate assessment compared to the conventional ultrasound transducer bandage, resulting in the reduction of errors during examinations and the labor staff’s workloads while providing the ability to continuously assess the fetal heart rate. Keywords: Cardiotocograph; Fetal heart rate; Intrapartum fetal monitoring