Labour Monitoring in the Lothians: Options, Benefits & Risks
- Joy
- Dec 11, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 21
Welcoming your baby into the world is incredible. Knowing your monitoring options during labour can help you feel calm, confident, and more in control.
Monitoring tracks your baby’s well-being and your contractions to ensure everything is progressing as it should. Depending on your circumstances, your midwife or doctor may recommend different methods. Here’s a breakdown of what you might encounter.
Hand-Held Monitoring (Intermittent Auscultation)
What it is:Your midwife listens to your baby’s heartbeat at intervals using a Pinard stethoscope or a Doppler device.
Why parents love it:
Freedom to move and change positions
Gentle, non-invasive, no wires
Ideal for low-risk pregnancies
Things to consider:
Provides only snapshots, not a continuous trace
Requires regular check-ins by your midwife
Not suitable if complications arise
The bottom line: Best for low-risk pregnancies. NICE guidance supports intermittent auscultation for uncomplicated labours, and it may reduce unnecessary interventions.
Wireless Monitoring (Telemetry)
What it is: Wireless sensors track your baby’s heartbeat and your contractions continuously - without tying you to a machine.
Why parents love it:
Freedom to move, walk, use a ball, or even relax in the bath
Continuous monitoring without being restricted by cords
Comfortable and flexible
Things to consider:
Not always available in every hospital
Signal can drop occasionally
May lead to interventions if continuous monitoring is used unnecessarily
The bottom line: Great if continuous monitoring is recommended but you still want mobility. A Cochrane review found wireless monitoring supports mobility without missing signs of foetal distress.
Foetal Scalp Electrode Monitoring
What it is: A tiny sensor is attached to your baby’s scalp after your waters are broken, providing precise heart rate monitoring.
Why parents love it:
Highly accurate and reliable
Useful if external monitors can’t track the heartbeat clearly
Continuous reassurance
Things to consider:
Invasive - requires waters to be broken
Limits mobility
Very small risk of infection
The bottom line: Reserved for higher-risk situations or if external monitoring isn’t effective. Reassuringly accurate when needed.
Wired ECG Monitoring (Cardiotocography or CTG)
What it is: Sensors on your tummy continuously record your baby’s heart rate and your contractions, producing a visual trace on a monitor.
Why parents love it:
Constant, detailed information
Available in almost every hospital
Essential for high-risk labours
Things to consider:
Restricts movement - you’ll be attached to the machine
Associated with higher intervention rates (forceps, caesarean)
Can feel clunky with wires and sensors
The bottom line: CTG is standard for high-risk births. The Lancet (2017) highlighted that continuous CTG may increase interventions compared with intermittent monitoring.
Choosing the Right Monitoring Option
Your choice depends on:
Risk level (low-risk vs high-risk)
Your birth preferences
Hospital policies
For low-risk births, intermittent auscultation is usually enough. For higher-risk situations, continuous monitoring may be recommended.
A helpful decision tool is B.R.A.I.N. - Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Intuition, and Nothing. Using this framework with your midwife or doctor helps you make informed choices.
Final Thoughts
Monitoring during labour is there to keep you and your baby safe. Whether you use a Doppler, wireless telemetry, scalp electrodes, or CTG, understanding the pros and cons means you can approach birth with confidence.
👉 Want to explore labour monitoring, pain relief, and all your birth options in a supportive, friendly environment? Join my antenatal classes in Linlithgow, supporting families across West Lothian, Edinburgh, Falkirk and Central Scotland.
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