Monitoring Your Baby in Labour

Dr Kirsten Small is the small boy in the crowd who calls out in the Hans Christian Andersen fable that the ""Emperor has no clothes"". She is unafraid to call out the blind trust and overuse of electronic fetal monitoring, and she does this with a forensic yet accessible examination of the scientific evidence. While ""CTG monitoring is nonsense"" is a bold statement to make, she then goes on to make her case and give very practical and helpful tips of when and how we can use fetal monitoring to work for women and babies and not against them. This book that will leave you reeling and but also so much wiser. Professor Hannah Dahlen, Midwife Finally, a guide that delivers the truth about fetal monitoring. Drawing on deep expertise as a clinician and researcher, Dr. Small uses easy-to-understand language to empower pregnant women to cut through entrenched dogma and reclaim true informed decision-making. This is essential reading for all maternity professionals committed to providing evidence-based care. Professor Jenny Gamble, Midwife Starting with her 'Birth Small Talk' blog, Kirsten is an international obstetric expert who successfully shares knowledge and power. By explaining research in an open and understandable way, she puts all that's known into context and into your hands as a user of medical care. Sharing information reduces fears and gives you and your health carers the ability to make right, personalised decisions that are responsive to your needs and wants. This wonderful book has been written in straightforward English for every pregnant woman, or her companions, who will face labour. It spells out everything you need to know about the choices of fetal monitoring, how they operate and their impacts - both good and bad. If they want to 'keep up', all students, midwives and obstetricians must read it too. Professor Susan Bewley, Obstetrician The gold standard, top shelf, blue ribbon, five star book about monitoring your baby during labour. This book will change the lives of people who haven't even been born yet. I'm equally thrilled this book has been written by the magnificent Kirsten Small and enraged it has had to be. Don't be gaslit, manipulated, or patronised. Read this book and reclaim your power over fetal monitoring. Catherine Deveny, Birth Nerd, Bon vivant, Author Maternity care too often relies on hearsay and cultural practice but Kirsten calls out the nonsense of modern maternity care practice around fetal monitoring and offers options to women they may not have realised they had. This book contains the information that women and their care providers require to make informed decisions about fetal monitoring during pregnancy and labour. Dr Melanie Jackson (PhD), Midwife, Creator of The Great Birth Rebellion podcast and The Convergence of Rebellious Midwives A practical, readable, empowering guide to making your own decisions about monitoring your baby in labour. A really important book - one to read, recommend, gift to friends - and send a copy to your local maternity service too! Catherine Williams, maternity improvement activist & childbirth educator, UK This book is a game-changer. Dr Kirsten Small challenges long-held assumptions with clarity and compassion, offering women the knowledge they need to make truly informed choices in labour. As her PhD supervisor, I'm proud to support this vital work. Professor Jennifer Fenwick, Midwife This will be such a helpful book for women and families. Kirsten takes us through the research in such a careful way and makes it make sense. I am sure that women will find this book hugely helpful in their own decision making around labour and birth. Professor Caroline Homer, Midwife