When preparing a patient for a Cesarean section, when should the internal fetal monitor be removed?

Removing the internal fetal monitor after the sterile abdominal skin prep is appropriate because this timing ensures that the surgical site is clean and sterile prior to the onset of the procedure. The skin prep involves the application of antiseptic solutions to minimize the risk of infection during the Cesarean section. Keeping the internal fetal monitor in place during the skin prep could contaminate the surgical field or create a risk for infection once the skin incision is made. By removing the monitor after the prep, the surgical team maintains a sterile environment essential for a safe surgical procedure.

While it might seem logical to consider removing it before the prep or after the incision, doing so at those times could either compromise sterility or complicate fetal monitoring just prior to surgery. It's also important to note that in some cases, the internal fetal monitor might still be necessary during the immediate pre-operative period to ensure continuous assessment of fetal well-being until the surgical team determines it is no longer needed.