02/08/2026
During labour, monitoring your baby’s heart rate helps your care team understand how they’re coping.
For most low-risk labours, this is done with intermittent auscultation-a midwife will use a Doppler every 15-30 minutes during active labour. If there are concerns or certain risk factors, continuous CTG monitoring may be recommended.
If the CTG isn’t giving a clear reading-due to lots of movement or concerns it may be detecting your heart rate instead of the baby’s—a fetal scalp electrode (FSE) may be suggested.
An FSE is a very thin metal coil gently twisted just under the skin of your baby’s scalp-not into the bone of the skull. In breech births, it may be applied to the baby’s buttock. It gives a direct measurement of the baby’s heart rate, especially when external monitoring is less reliable.
It’s not used routinely. The decision to apply one is made thoughtfully, when clearer information is needed to guide safe care.
There are some risks to be aware of. The FSE will leave a small mark where it’s attached. There is a risk of bruising and infection, and it can only be used once your waters have broken-if they haven’t, applying it will involve breaking them. These factors are always carefully considered before it’s recommended.
Most importantly, you will always be asked for your consent before an FSE is applied. You have the right to ask questions, to understand why it’s being suggested, and to take time to consider your options. This decision is yours. Your care team is there to support you with respectful, evidence-based information. The goal of maternity care is to provide safe, informed, and individualised support-so you can feel confident in every choice you make.
