Fetal Monitors

Pretty S asked:

I’ve read that the insertion of a fetal heart monitor during labour can cause the doctors and nurses to be overly sensitive to the baby’s natural variations in heartrate - and in turn increase the incidence of cesarian section - because they’re concerned that the baby is in distress.

I trust doctors and nurses. I don’t want to interfere in their work, but, I’d like to request that anything that isn’t necessary be excluded from my labour experience.

I’d like to have as natural a birth as possible in the hospital. I’m considering asking that the doctor refrain from using the fetal heart monitor - has anyone done this?

Thanks!

Question posted courtesy of: Teresa