Measuring hand-applied forces during childbirth

Abstract

We report on a tactile force-sensing glove worn by an obstetrician to measure the force applied on a fetal head during childbirth. The glove consists of five piezoresistive sensors strategically placed to measure normal forces applied to the head. The normal forces are converted to traction forces via laboratory calibrations. The sensors interface with a computer for real-time data acquisition and processing. The glove is being used to quantify and investigate clinician-applied forces during vaginal deliveries, with special focus on an obstetric emergency known as shoulder dystocia. A prototype version has been developed and tested with multiple birthing simulations, as well as six normal deliveries and one delivery with a compound presentation. We conclude that a tactile sensing glove can be used to study hand-applied forces during childbirth to better understand the relationship between different birthing procedures and the forces applied during them.