Which practice is advised against during labor for mothers with Hepatitis C?

The practice of using fetal scalp electrodes is advised against during labor for mothers with Hepatitis C due to the potential risk of viral transmission. Hepatitis C can be present in maternal blood and amniotic fluid, and the insertion of fetal scalp electrodes involves breaking the skin in the fetal scalp, which could increase the likelihood of the infant being exposed to the virus.

In contrast, breastfeeding is not contraindicated as the risk of Hepatitis C transmission through breast milk is considered to be low, especially if there are no open sores or bleeding on the mother’s nipples. Uterine monitoring is a routine procedure that presents no additional risk in terms of Hepatitis C transmission. Delayed cord clamping is a practice that can be beneficial for the infant’s transition and is not linked to any increased risk of Hepatitis C transmission to the newborn.

Therefore, the recommendation against the use of fetal scalp electrodes is primarily to mitigate the risk of exposing the infant to maternal blood where the virus may be present, thus prioritizing neonatal safety during labor.