Ottumwa Regional adds wireless fetal monitoring to maternity care

OTTUMWA, Iowa (KYOU) - Ottumwa Regional Health Center has added wireless fetal monitoring technology as part of an effort to improve maternity care in rural Iowa.

According to The March of Dimes a third of Iowa’s 99 counties are considered maternity care deserts, slightly above the national rate. 14% of women live more than 30 minutes away from a place to give birth.

Providers say improving quality of care at existing rural hospitals is critical.

“There’s definitely a lack of OB providers in the state of Iowa, particularly. It’s actually an issue nationwide,” said Chief Nursing Officer Jessica Kendrick. 

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Ottumwa Regional is responding with the Novii+ wireless fetal monitor. The device has no cords and does not tether patients to a bed while staying connected to care.

“So that allows for the mom to get up and move around during the labor process. It also allows for better positioning. So not having all those wires attached, it gives the nurses an opportunity to help move that patient in a way that facilitates the labor better,” Kendrick said.

The hospital now offers both wired and wireless monitoring depending on what each patient needs.

The technology is part of a broader push to expand women’s services and keep rural mothers close to home.

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