Focus on the beat: current fetal monitoring practice in low risk labour

Assessing fetal heart and thus fetal wellbeing during labour and childbirth is an important if contentious, clinical practice. There is debate and concern about optimal methods of fetal monitoring during low risk childbirth. This paper reports on the findings of a qualitative study that investigated current midwives' practices. Data from focus groups conducted with midwives practising in Queensland was subject to a qualitative content analysis. While the ideal method of monitoring the fetal heart in low-risk labour is intermittent auscultation this analysis highlights not only the range of methods but also the rationales, contexts and factors motivating and influencing midwives' practice choices. In the current complex care environment midwives face a range of challenges to practice that facilitate the provision of consistent woman-centered care.