Home Monitoring of Uterine Activity

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Abstract
In the article by Sachs et al. about home monitoring of uterine activity (Nov. 7 issue),1 the authors make numerous errors in their "analysis" of our study.2 The role of home uterine-activity monitoring is to provide objective data about uterine contractions to facilitate the early diagnosis of labor. This results in the provision of more effective tocolytic therapy and the subsequent prolongation of pregnancy.3 The authors state that to be effective, this form of technology should prevent preterm birth. This end point is unreasonable. It is analogous to suggesting that a thermometer should cure infection rather than measure temperature — i.e., provide an objective finding that the physician can use to begin early treatment after the diagnosis is confirmed.