Fetal Monitoring Methods & Perineal Care: A Comprehensive Guide

Question
Is it true that there are two types of fetal monitors? If yes what are they and what is best in your opinion for giving birth? And When in making my birth plan what is meant by empty bladder? And also what is meant by CAre of Periineum.

Answer
Hello Valene. I think you are talking about external fetal monitoring and scalp fetal monitoring. External requires you to wear two large belts around your belly- one picks up the baby's heart rate and the other detects contractions. Internal or scalp requires one belt around your belly to pick up contractions and a metal probe is inserted up your vagina and screwed into the baby's scalp to pick up it's heart rate. In my opinion NIETHER is needed at ALL- they are invasive and carry a high rate of unecessary c/sections. You must go to the toilet and pee (empty your bladder) often during labor so that your full bladder does not slow down the process. Care of the perineum refers to keeping the area between your vagina and your anus very clean after birth if the dr. made a cut there during the delivery. Which, by the way, is also completely unecessary. You need to read some good books about labor and birth. Here are two excellent ones- Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin and The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger. All the best- Cheri.