LabourFree in the app
Observations in labour
What to check and how often.
Source: NICE NG235 · NG229First stage
| Contractions | Every 30 min |
|---|---|
| Pulse | Hourly |
| BP, temp, RR | 4-hourly |
| VE | 4-hourly (or if concerned) |
| Fetal heart (IA) | ≥1 min after a contraction, every 15 min |
Second stage
| VE | Hourly in active second stage |
|---|---|
| Fetal heart (IA) | Every 5 min with maternal pulse |
Escalate if baseline rises ≥20 bpm or any deceleration heard on intermittent auscultation.
A summary for trained clinicians. Always check the full guideline, the patient in front of you and your hospital's protocol. Spotted an error? Tell us.