Monitoring foetal heartbeat. Midwife listening to a foetus' heartbeat during the early stages of labour (childbirth). She is using a Pinard, a type of stethoscope used to check the foetus' health. Slowing of the heartbeat is an indication of foetal distress syndrome, in which the foetus is not receiving enough oxygen. In this event a caesarean section birth may be necessary. Photographed in the Netherlands.