RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: to survey midwives' attitudes and practices related to intrapartum fetal monitoring. DESIGN: descriptive correlational study. SETTING: regional and district maternity unit and related community area within one health authority. PARTICIPANTS: all midwives were invited to participate. Two hundred and forty two questionnaires were administered and 117 were returned (48% response rate). MEASUREMENTS AND FINDINGS: in the questionnaire information was collected on professional/demographic details, education and practices related to intrapartum fetal monitoring, together with a 20-item attitude scale which encompassed attitudes towards fetal monitoring and related issues. As expected, the findings suggest that midwives' preferred methods of fetal monitoring varied with the client's risk category. However, midwife preference did not necessarily match actual choice of method. There are many factors influencing choice, not least of which is confidence in ability. Significant differences were found between midwives. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: the findings highlight some of the issues relating to individual confidence. 97% of the midwives felt they would benefit from in-service training in CTG interpretation. The findings support the development of continuing in service education programmes for midwives.
