Midwives matter more than monitors

In this column, Sara Wickham takes a sideways look at issues relevant to midwives, students, women and families, inviting us to sit down with a cup of tea and ponder what we think we know. Research has consistently failed to show that electronic fetal monitoring makes a positive difference to women or babies. Yet this technology continues to be used, with some units now using central monitoring systems. This article considers the results of a study showing the effect of these on women's experiences, comparing the value of monitors and midwives.