Fetal and Maternal Monitoring
Philips Avalon beltless fetal monitoring solution
Freedom to move, freedom to focus on quality birthing care
The Avalon beltless fetal monitoring solution is a cableless and belt-free solution that gives patients the flexibility to find a comfortable position, take a shower, or walk around during labor. It eliminates the need to reposition transducers and belts, allowing caregivers to concentrate on caring for the patient. The solution consists of the reusable CL Fetal & Maternal Pod and single-use adhesive patch. The patch’s electrodes adhere to the patient’s belly during single pregnancies and provide the same convenience of connecting to a fetal monitor – but without the restrictions of cables.
Embrace mobility during early stages of labor
Research studies show that ambulation may significantly shorten labor [1,2], reduce the need for pain relief and labor induction drugs [2], and decrease the number of episiotomies [1]. Research also reveals less frequent abnormal heart rate patterns for women in the upright position, as well as less pain and backache [3].
With the Philips Avalon beltless solution, a single beltless patch is placed on the woman’s belly and uses electrodes to measure fetal and maternal heartrate and uterine activity. This enables freedom of movement, with no need of re-positioning.
Variety of positions offer choice and comfort
Electronic fetal monitoring technology, or cardiotocography, measures infant heartbeat and uterine contractions and delivers monitoring quality comparable to cabled technology. It allows mothers to choose from a variety of positions that take advantage of gravity, widen the pelvis diameter, alleviate back pressure, or simply provide a higher level of comfort.
Confidently monitor both mom and baby
The Avalon beltless fetal monitoring solution is an essential component of the Avalon CL fetal monitoring system, filled with advanced technology for monitoring, measurements, and transducers.
Helping reduce the confusion between fetal and maternal heartbeats is critical to making informed clinical decisions during labor and delivery. Philips Smart Pulse technology allows you to do just that by automatically comparing the maternal pulse and fetal heart rates without the need for additional sensors like SpO2 and ECG. This means a more gentle, caring experience for both mother and baby.
Image gallery
- Mom in shower with beltless pod and patch
- Close up of high BMI mom in shower with beltless pod and patch
- High BMI mom in hallway with beltless pod and patch, ISP on ipad
- High BMI mom in hallway
- Application of beltless pod and patch on high BMI mom
- High BMI mom on yoga ball with beltless pod and patch
- High BMI mom outside with beltless pod and patch
- Dad and mom with beltless pod and patch waking in hallway with wide range pod
Cableless monitoring for women of all sizes
Clinical staff can concentrate on caring for the mother and rely on the technology to provide continuous monitoring even under challenging conditions. Our Avalon beltless solution, when paired with the Philips CL base station, uses electrodes instead of ultrasound to measure fetal and maternal heart rates as well as uterine contractions. This allows women to be monitored while having the freedom to move around during labor – even women with a high BMI [4] or those having epidural procedures.
With the beltless solution, we’re now able to record [fetal heart rate] continuously without repositioning the sensor, which is an exciting step forward.
Prof. Franck Perrotin
OBGYN
Maternité Olympe de Gouges – CHRU de Tours
Frequently asked questions
Footnotes
- Cohen WR, Hayes-Gill B. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2014 Jun; 93 (6): 590-5.
- Gupta JK, Nikodem VC. Woman’s position during second stage of labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000;(2):CD002006.
- Lawrence A, Lewis L, Hofmeyr GJ, Dowswell T, Styles C. Maternal positions and mobility during fi rst stage labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009 Apr15;(2):CD003934. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003934.pub2[4] Flynn et al., “Ambulating in labour,“ Br Med J. (1978) Aug 26, 2 (6137):591-3.
- C Reis de Carvalho, P Nogueira, D Ayres-de-Campos. Quality of fetal heart rate monitoring with transabdominal fetal ECG during maternal movement in labor: A prospective study. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica 2022. DOI: 10.1111/aogs.14434
Disclaimer
Results are specific to the institution where they were obtained and may not reflect the results achievable at other institutions. Results in other cases may vary.