Welcoming a newborn into the world is a life-changing event. Behind every successful delivery lies careful planning, skilled hands, and most importantly, the right set of tools. Understanding the equipment in labour room helps expecting parents feel more prepared and confident as they approach childbirth.

From the delivery bed to emergency drugs and monitors, every item in a labour room plays a critical role. In this blog, we’ll break down the most essential tools used during labor and explain how each one contributes to a safe delivery for both mother and baby.

Why It Matters to Understand Labour Room Setup

While labor is a natural process, having proper medical support ensures quick responses to any complications. Hospitals follow strict guidelines for labour room setup to ensure hygiene, safety, and access to emergency resources. This article simplifies all the essential labour room equipments used during childbirth.

Let’s walk through what you’ll find in a modern hospital labour room like the ones at Shaafi Hospital Alipur.

1. Delivery Bed

One of the central pieces of equipment in labour room is the delivery bed. It is adjustable to accommodate different stages of labor and to ensure the mother’s comfort. Most beds come with:

• Adjustable backrests
• Leg supports and stirrups
• Side railings

Some advanced beds include features that allow easy transformation from a hospital bed into a full delivery table.

2. Fetal Monitoring Equipment

To track the baby’s heartbeat and the mother’s contractions, hospitals use CTG machines or electronic fetal monitoring systems. These devices help doctors know when it’s time to push or if the baby is in distress. Understanding fetal heart rates is vital for a healthy birth.

CTG test in pregnancy normal range is between 110–160 beats per minute. This test is standard and usually non-invasive.

3. Infant Resuscitation Table

Sometimes, newborns may need help with their first few breaths. A resuscitation table is equipped with:

• Oxygen supply
• Suction equipment
• Warming devices
• Ambu bags and masks

This ensures that even if immediate attention is needed, the tools are at arm’s reach.

4. Sterile Delivery Kit

The delivery kit contains several labour room instruments names like:

• Sterile gloves
• Forceps
• Scissors
• Cord clamps
• Sponge holders
• Needle holders

These tools are sterilized and packed to be used during childbirth, episiotomy, and cord cutting.

5. Emergency Drug Tray

Hospitals prepare a tray of drugs used in labour room for both the mother and baby. These include:

• Oxytocin to induce or strengthen contractions
• Misoprostol for postpartum hemorrhage
• Lidocaine for local anesthesia
• Magnesium sulfate for high blood pressure management

Trained staff ensures correct usage based on the patient’s condition.

6. IV Setup and Fluids

An intravenous line is usually started during active labor to provide hydration or medications. Fluids like Ringer’s lactate or normal saline are used, and in some cases, glucose solutions may be given to the mother.

7. Episiotomy Set

If the doctor needs to make a surgical cut to enlarge the vaginal opening, an episiotomy set is used. It contains sterilized scissors, sutures, forceps, and antiseptics. This is not always necessary, but having the right labour room equipments prepared avoids delay.

8. Newborn Care Corner

Right after birth, the baby is shifted to the care corner for cleaning, weighing, and initial assessment. Here you’ll find:

• Infant warmer
• Weight scale
• Apgar score chart
• Baby thermometer
• Newborn care supplies (diapers, cloths, lotion)

This corner ensures the baby receives focused attention without interrupting the care of the mother.

9. Lighting and Suction Devices

Proper lighting is essential for clear visibility during delivery, suturing, or assessing complications. Suction devices help clear the baby’s airways and also manage any maternal fluids.

10. Record-Keeping and Monitoring Systems

Accurate documentation is part of every hospital’s guidelines for labour room practice. Monitoring systems help record fetal heart rate trends, maternal vitals, and medication doses throughout the process.

These tools support communication among the care team and allow better decision-making if emergencies arise.

Why Proper Labour Room Equipment Matters

Proper equipment in labour room can be the difference between a routine birth and a high-risk complication. According to WHO, maternal and newborn mortality can be significantly reduced by having trained staff and appropriate medical supplies on hand during delivery.

A 2021 study published in The Lancet Global Health highlighted that over 80% of maternal deaths could be prevented with timely interventions supported by proper medical infrastructure.

This is why hospitals like Shaafi Alipur invest in updated labour room equipments and continuous staff training.

Upgrading Labour Rooms: The Future of Safe Births

Hospitals across Pakistan are moving toward modern, patient-centered labour rooms. New designs focus on:

• Infection control
• Efficient workflows
• Space for family support
• Privacy and dignity for the mother

Some centers are even integrating smart monitoring devices that provide real-time updates to doctors’ mobile devices.

FAQs

Q1: What are some common labour room instruments names?
Forceps, scissors, sponge holders, cord clamps, and suction devices.

Q2: What are essential drugs used in labour room care?
Oxytocin, magnesium sulfate, lidocaine, and misoprostol are common.

Q3: What is CTG and how is it related to delivery?
CTG monitoring tracks the baby’s heartbeat and the mother’s contractions.

Q4: Are hospital labour rooms safe in Pakistan?
Yes. Reputed hospitals like Shaafi follow international guidelines for labour room setup.

Q5: Can I see the equipment before delivery?
Many hospitals offer maternity tours where parents can view the labour room equipments and ask questions.

Final Thoughts

Preparing for childbirth isn’t just about choosing a hospital. It’s about knowing that your care team has the right equipment in labour room to manage every stage of labor safely and efficiently.

From the labour room instruments names to the drugs used in labour room, every detail matters when it comes to a safe delivery. At Shaafi Hospital Alipur, we follow globally approved guidelines for labour room setup to ensure mothers and babies receive expert, compassionate care.

Understanding the process helps parents feel empowered—and more connected to one of life’s most important experiences.

Sources:

• World Health Organization – Safe Childbirth Checklist
• The Lancet Global Health – Maternal Mortality Report 2021
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) – Delivery Room Standards

Call to Action

Planning for delivery?
Shaafi Hospital Alipur offers fully equipped, modern labour rooms designed for safety, comfort, and expert care. Whether it’s your first baby or your third, you deserve the best support every step of the way.

📅 Book your maternity consultation today at shaafihospital.pk/contact and let us help you prepare for a smooth delivery experience.