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You and your baby will be monitored during labour to make sure you are both coping well. Monitoring will include using a small handheld device called a Sonicaid to listen to your baby’s heart.

Low risk pregnancy:

We listen to your baby’s heartrate for 1 minute every 15 minutes for the first stage of labour.

In the second stage of labour, (from full dilation to when your baby is born) we listen to your baby’s heartrate for 1 minute at least every five minutes after a contraction.

Higher risk pregnancy:

We keep a constant check on your baby’s heart rate throughout labour, so we can see how your baby is doing all the time.

Electronic monitoring

Your midwife may suggest electronic monitoring if there are any concerns about you or your baby, or if you have chosen to have an epidural.

Electronic monitoring means 2 pads are strapped to your tummy. One monitors your contractions and the other monitors your baby’s heartbeat. They are attached to a monitor so these measurements can be seen. Electronic monitoring can sometimes restrict how much you can move around.

Sometimes a heart monitor called a fetal scalp electrode can be attached to the baby’s head instead. This can give a more accurate measurement of your baby’s heartbeat and can often mean you move around more freely. It will usually be removed just as your baby is born, not before.