Every woman deserves to experience a birth in motion, even when continuous monitoring of her baby's heart rate is required.

My name is Julie, and I have been a labour and delivery nurse at the CHUM for the past six years. Every day, I have the privilege of supporting women and their families through one of the most meaningful moments of their lives. Throughout my experience, I have seen firsthand how freedom of movement can transform the childbirth experience.

Together with my colleagues in the CHUM labour and delivery unit, we are deeply committed to improving women's health by placing their needs, choices, bodily autonomy, and the safety of both mother and baby at the heart of the care we provide. Every birth is unique and deserves to be approached with these principles in mind. That is why we are constantly striving to enhance the care and services we offer, ensuring that every family has the best possible birth experience.

Scientific evidence shows that staying active during labour is one of the key factors that supports its natural progression. Walking, using a birthing ball, suspension techniques, pelvic mobility exercises, and hydrotherapy are all approaches we encourage every day. In fact, the World Health Organization recommends that women remain mobile and adopt upright positions throughout labour.

However, certain clinical situations require continuous fetal heart rate monitoring to ensure the baby's safety. At present, this monitoring is performed using wired fetal monitors, which significantly restrict a woman's freedom of movement. This limitation can prevent her from walking, using the therapeutic bath, or adopting the positions that provide the greatest comfort, even though these approaches are recognized for helping labour progress.

Today, we need your support.

Our goal is to raise $25,000 to purchase five wireless fetal monitors. Every donation will make a tangible difference by enhancing the care we provide and allowing more women to benefit from an approach that promotes freedom of movement while respecting their birth plan and ensuring the safety of their baby.

Thank you for joining us in helping make every birth a birth in motion.

Julie Lino Monteiro, RN