While labour is a normal process, it is also unpredictable. During labour and birth, your caregiver may need to recommend one or more medical procedures to help you or your baby. We’ve outlined the benefits and risks of the more common procedures below. When you are in labour it may be difficult to focus on the explanations, so ask your caregiver early in your pregnancy to explain these and other procedures that you may need.
The baby’s heart-rate is monitored throughout active labour and pushing or at any other time there is a concern. This can be done using external monitoring using a handheld Doppler or with electrodes held in place with belts or internally using an electrode that is attached directly to the baby. The type of monitoring can vary depending on medical conditions, medications being used and stage of labour. Typically most people are monitored intermittently; this allows for more movement during labour. Even with continuous monitoring, labouring people are often still able to use upright positions and the birth ball.