“Novii Wireless Patch System Fetal Monitor.” GE HealthCare, https://www.gehealthcare.com.au/products/maternal-infant-care/fetal-monitors/novii-wireless-patch-system. Accessed 6 May 2025.

By Charlotte Leung

During childbirth, a mother experiences numerous event within her body, from the gradually-intensifying uterine contractions, to the descent of the newborn baby, the event can be very scary and is painful for the mother. Typically, in developed countries, like Canada, mothers bound to give birth are to stay in hospitals, where they can be monitored safely for any complications that may arise. Among the various technologies involved, a particular device rings a bell in every mother’s mind, the fetal monitoring system. This device is is wrapped around the stomach to monitor the baby’s heart rate throughout the process, ensuring emergency measures are taken when anything erupts.

However, this system has been a significant concern among mothers in labour. The wires connecting to the monitors were a huge obstacle between mothers and their desired birthing position, fostering an unnecessarily uncomfortable experience. In fact, a 2024 study found that mothers are most satisfied with their birthing positions of choice rather than those chosen by their healthcare providers. So, with these wires and monitors in the way, mothers are unable to “use their bodies and gravity to their full advantage” during childbirth.

As a solution to said problem, the wireless fetal monitor system was developed, a far more advanced and flexible system for mothers. The wireless fetal monitor system involves stickers placed on the mother’s stomach, instead of the typical interconnected wires, and have a waterproof feature. Now, not only can mothers walk around during labour and position themselves in their desired positions, they can even take showers for pain relief during labour.  In addition to these patches, researchers are also developing more elaborate monitoring systems for laboring mothers. Alongside the typical fetal heart rate monitoring, the new monitors at Northwestern University can also monitor the mother’s labor positions, temperature, and movements.

This system not only allows mobility, but a sense of control and stability during a likely-stressful and painful event, allowing a mother to fully take control and take part of the process of childbirth, instead of being restricted to medical technologies. Overall, wireless fetal monitoring system assists a smoother and more flexible delivery as a whole. Such medical improvements, especially ones targeted at women, who are often overlooked, are critical for childbirth, but also is a catalyst for gender equality within the medical community.

Works Cited

Alicea, Melayna. “Wireless fetal monitoring: A win for women in labor.” Natural Womanhood, 7 November 2024, https://naturalwomanhood.org/wireless-fetal-monitoring/. Accessed 6 May 2025.

“Novii Wireless Patch System Fetal Monitor.” GE HealthCare, https://www.gehealthcare.com.au/products/maternal-infant-care/fetal-monitors/novii-wireless-patch-system. Accessed 6 May 2025.