This paper investigates the concept of abjection (Grosz 1990) in relation to introducing new technological devices into birthing practice and draws from examples emanated from fieldwork performed in a Swedish university hospital birthing centre where a new foetal monitor is being introduced. Notions of the abject in relation to the birthing woman and the foetus respectively are investigated. The abject is further analyzed in relation to the work practices of midwives and doctors and situated in the delivery room and in the conference room where rounds take place. The argument put forward is that overcoming notions of the abject is done through the engagement in an often dramatic birthing process and the consequent identification with the birthing woman. How this relates to new technological devices in birthing is discussed.