654 – Inside the Labor Room: Electronic Fetal Monitoring & Legal Challenges in Obstetrical Care – Maureen Elia

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Welcome to another insightful episode of the Legal Nurse Podcast with your host, Pat Iyer. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the critical and often litigious world of obstetrical care with special guest Maureen Elia, a master’s-prepared, board-certified obstetrical nurse, and experienced legal nurse consultant. Maureen brings her wealth of hands-on expertise in labor and delivery, her experience as an instructor in fetal monitoring, and her perspective as both a clinician and an expert witness in medical malpractice cases.

Together, Pat and Maureen explore the evolution of fetal monitoring technology, from the days of heavy fetoscopes and intermittent checks to today’s sophisticated electronic fetal monitoring systems. They focus on the science of interpreting fetal heart rate strips, explaining the vital role nurses play in categorizing, evaluating, and responding to the changing signs that could mean the difference between a routine delivery and a medical emergency.

Maureen provides an insider’s look into the standards, certifications, tools, and common pitfalls in fetal monitoring—highlighting how misinterpretation or delayed intervention can lead to devastating outcomes and open the door to litigation.

This episode offers a powerful blend of technical insight and real-world examples about teamwork, communication breakdowns, and the heavy responsibilities involved in labor and delivery care. Tune in to hear stories, best practices, and lessons that underscore the life-altering consequences of errors in the obstetric suite—and discover why ongoing education and vigilance are key to patient safety and risk management.

What you’ll learn in this episode on Inside the Labor Room: Electronic Fetal Monitoring & Legal Challenges in Obstetrical Care

Listen to get the answers to these questions:

1. What are the three NICHD fetal monitoring strip categories, and why is “Category 2” so challenging to interpret?
2. How can technology help (and fall short) in supporting nurses’ real-time fetal monitoring decisions?
3. What are the most common breakdowns Maureen sees when reviewing OB malpractice cases?
4. Why is continuous learning and recertification vital for labor and delivery nurses?
5. How can good communication—and the courage to escalate concerns—prevent devastating outcomes for mothers and babies?

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Your Presenter for Inside the Labor Room: Electronic Fetal Monitoring & Legal Challenges in Obstetrical Care

Pat Iyer

Pat Iyer is a seasoned legal nurse consultant and business coach renowned for her expertise in guiding new legal nurse consultants to successfully break into the field. As the host of the Legal Nurse Podcast, Pat addresses critical challenges that legal nurse consultants face, such as difficulty in landing clients and lack of response from attorneys. Through her insightful episodes, she emphasizes the importance of effectively communicating one’s value to potential clients. With a wealth of experience, Pat has empowered countless consultants to overcome these hurdles and thrive in their careers.

Connect with Pat Iyer by email at patiyer@legalnusebusiness.com

Maureen Elia

Nurse, Parent, Educator

I am a master’s prepared Registered Nurse with advanced certifications in Inpatient Obstetrical Nursing, High Risk Obstetrics, and Electronic Fetal Monitoring. With a career rooted in direct patient care, I have spent years providing expert nursing services in a high-acuity Level III perinatal center, including labor and delivery, antepartum, postpartum, newborn nursery, and limited neonatal intensive care settings. My clinical practice reflects a strong commitment to patient and family-centered care, with a consistent record of excellence in managing complex obstetrical and perinatal cases.

Beyond bedside care, I have played a key role in professional development and clinical education. I have trained and oriented new staff nurses and nursing assistants, coordinated and led obstetric emergency simulation drills, and served as an instructor for yearly competencies and new policies and protocols. My experience also includes direct involvement in fetal surgeries during the antenatal period as well as complicated deliveries at various gestations, reflecting a deep familiarity with high-risk obstetrical procedures and interdisciplinary collaboration.

I am deeply committed to fostering the development of novice and student nurses, ensuring they gain the skills, confidence, and clinical judgment necessary to become safe and effective healthcare providers. I remain committed to best practice through continued attendance at educational conferences and membership to professional organizations.

When she is not on this podcast, she is an avid murder documentary watcher!

Connect with Maureen by email at Maureen.EliaRN@gmail.com or on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/maureen-elia-msn-rnc-ob-rnc-iap-c-efm-828b28283