Thank you so much for all your responses! I'm preparing for a natural and active birth, so I am happy to hear that there are less restrictive methods of checking up on baby during labour. I think that if the option exists to refuse even intermittent monitoring (if all is going well), then that is something I would prefer to do. I think, for me personally, monitoring or internal examinations would just put the pressure on. It's so nice to be reminded that when you do enter a hospital to give birth you aren't just at the mercy of protocol and procedure, and you are able to exercise your right of choice. Thank you!