Home uterine activity monitoring in a rural setting.

Abstract

Home uterine activity monitoring and daily perinatal nursing contact were used in patients at risk for preterm labor in a rural area using provider consultation with a perinatologist in a tertiary center. In the management of 25 subjects at high risk for preterm delivery, it was noted that the patients had decreased anxiety. They felt that the service was beneficial to them and allowed them to stay in their local area. The providers felt confident that this daily contact allowed them to manage the patients without transfer to the tertiary center. Likewise, concerning women who developed preterm labor, the physicians were confident that the diagnosis would be early enough that transport, if necessary, could be carried out safely. Finally, the physicians felt that verbal reassurance from the perinatologist and weekly written contact with the monitoring service facilitated local management of such patients, particularly as it concerned administration of tocolytic agents.