Monitoring during labour and birth

How monitoring works during labour

During labour, there's care that's recommended to make sure you and your baby are well. This helps to know that your labour is progressing well.

Your baby's heartbeat and your contractions will be monitored. Your temperature, blood pressure and pulse will also be checked.

During your pregnancy, your doctor or midwife will talk with you about monitoring you and your baby during your labour. They’ll explain the different types of monitoring as well as the benefits and risks. Ask them what to expect and how this may change during labour and birth.

You can include your preferences in a birth plan. Sometimes things may need to change. If this happens, your midwife or doctor will talk with you and ask for your consent before giving you any treatment. The focus will be on keeping you and your baby safe.

Vaginal examinations

Vaginal examinations are done to assess how your labour is progressing. This is done by feeling your cervix. Your midwife or doctor will talk to you about this and get your consent first.

Your midwife or doctor will put gloved fingers into your vagina. This is to feel how soft your cervix is, how much it has opened (dilated) and how your baby is positioned.

These checks are usually done after a contraction, and only when you say you're ready.

Monitoring your baby’s heartbeat

Monitoring your baby's heartbeat helps to ensure they are well during your labour. Your midwife or doctor will interpret your baby's heartbeat pattern. If there are any concerns, they'll discuss this with you. A heartbeat that slows down or follows an unusual pattern can be a sign of distress or not enough oxygen.

If there are concerns, you might be asked to change position, have your blood pressure checked, or have another vaginal examination. Sometimes a small blood sample is taken from your baby’s scalp to learn more.

The type of monitoring depends on your pregnancy, labour and any risks. Your options and recommended care will be explained before any monitoring starts, and you’ll be asked for your consent.

Listening with a hand held device (doppler)

If you’ve had a healthy pregnancy, your baby’s heartbeat will be checked every 15 to 30 minutes. A small doppler ultrasound device is held on your belly to listen to your baby's heartbeat for about 30 to 60 seconds each time.

You can move around while this happens. The doppler works in most positions, even in the shower or bath.

Using a CTG machine

If you've had any concerns during your pregnancy or labour, continuous monitoring may be recommended. A CTG (cardiotocography) machine tracks your contractions and monitors your baby’s heartbeat.

Two discs sit on your belly and are held in place with straps. The machine creates a graph, called a trace, that shows your baby’s heartbeat pattern and how it changes during contractions. This helps to check your baby is well.

Some CTG machines are wireless, so you can move around.

Fetal scalp electrode

Sometimes, monitoring from outside your belly doesn't give a clear enough reading. Your doctor or midwife may recommend an internal monitor called a fetal scalp electrode (FSE).

This is done during a vaginal examination and involves attaching a small spiral wire (clip) onto your baby's head. It can only be used if your waters have broken and your cervix has started to open.

Read more about fetal monitoring on the Pregnancy, Birth and Baby website.