Declining or reducing intermitent monitoring during labour?

[GingerJulep]

MW today mentioned that they would do doppler monitoring something like every 15min and, in active labour, every 5min as standard at a low risk birth.

This is my first and is, so far, looking low risk.

Was a bit surprised at the frequency of 'intermittent' (had naively imagined every 45min-1hour or so!) and am a little concerned that I'd find it incredibly annoying - in the most similar circs I've ever been in I didn't even want OH touching, just dark and calm.

Plus, baby has only been monitored using the trumpet shaped stethoscope so far as avoiding unnecessary ultrasound so a put off by the amount of sound waves it'll be experiencing (although appreciate that it'll be experiencing a lot more new things at the time!).

Has anyone else thought monitoring would be annoying? Did it turn out that way? Doppler vs. trumpet thingy? And how often did you want/get the monitoring?

Many thanks!

I was induced so I had continuous monitoring. Honestly when all got going I never remembered about it.

I had two straps around my stomach area. Honestly thinking back now I don't remember them at all.

I would let it stress you out, if they ask and you don't want it just say no. It's your decision.

I have no idea but keen to see what other people say. I thought they said they did this, but then didn't really do it. But I really have no idea!

Oh also, I was in the room with my sister when she was in labour, she didn't realise it was happening. It only takes a few seconds for them to check with Doppler.

Although the Mw didn't check that frequently.

It's every 5 minutes during pushing, not all the way through active labour. Did she explain that the MW will only listen in for 1-2 minutes each time? It is true that the protocol of every 15 minutes is really only based on tradition (some countries suggest every 30 minutes when using intermittent monitoring), however it is important to have some monitoring throughout labour.

I'm not sure you'll be able to request a Pinard (the trumpet) tbh - they are simply not designed for labour, when the MW will be contorting herself into all sorts of positions to get at your belly!), but I don't think you will find monitoring as intrusive as you think

I know what you mean and though I don't have any answers I'm lurking on your thread to see what others say. I too like dark, quiet spaces if I'm stressed out and I don't find the sound of the fricking Doppler thing reassuring as my midwife seems to think. When I was in induced labour with dc1 I had to have the stupid belts on and it drove me bonkers. I made them turn the sound off but couldn't get past the fact that the one monitoring dc1s heart rate was only working intermittently and the one supposedly recording my contractions was still not recording anything even when I got to pushing - it was just a flat line- and they still wouldn't take it off! In the end they had to put a scalp clip on dc1s head, that came off twice and was incredibly annoying because you can feel it and its horrible. So sympathies here, hope someone can come along with some constructive advice but just wanted to say you're not alone.

of course you can decline anything you want to, but listening to the baby's heartrate is how the mw knows how it's coping with labour. It would be tricky to use the trumpet thingy if for example you are on all fours. I agree with Bue, compared with having monitors strapped to your belly, you shouldn't find this too bad

I had an active labour with my second and I only remember the midwife listening in about twice during the whole six hour process. I actually asked her at one point if she didn't need to be listening in a bit more and she said no, your body knows what it is doing' I actually wouldn't have minded a bit more monitoring but I was concentrating on other things. I think its entirely down to the approach of the midwife.

I understand your concerns,& like so many things it does depend on what your midwife is like. By all means put it in your birth plan. But ultimately it is there to ensure the safe delivery of your baby & I would strongly recommend that you stick with the frequency they suggest.

I had a home birth with an experienced nhs midwife. She knew I wasn't keen to be bothered or interfered with if not necessary. She asked me about movements, and over the course of 6hrs listened in maybe 6 times? More towards the end than earlier. Lots of monitoring isn't always necessary.

Dopplers can be used on silent or with headphones.

You are free to decline any intervention at all, provided you're of sound mind (even if it would endanger you or your baby).