I have been in and out of hospital with pre-term labour symptoms for a the past few weeks. I was given medication to prevent labour at 31 weeks and steroids for baby's lungs to develop at 32 weeks. Since then, a combination of very bad Braxton Hicks made worse by SPD pains (which I thought could be contractions) and a mucous plug show have got me trotting off to hospital to get checked out every now and then.
Every time Im in hospital they obviously attach the baby monitor to me. I just wondered if anyone knew what to 'look out' for on the 'TOCO' monitor..the one that measures the rate and intensity of contractions. It seems to measure the intensity of contractions from 0 to 100. What is the average intensity rate when you are in active labour, does anyone know? My contractions (or more accurately 'tightenings' as the doctors clarified) have gone up to about 50-60 at times and stayed at that rate for about 30-45 seconds but they were obviously not enough to bring on active labour, however I am 1cm dilated and have been for about a week now.
Be interesting to know your experiences.
Every time Im in hospital they obviously attach the baby monitor to me. I just wondered if anyone knew what to 'look out' for on the 'TOCO' monitor..the one that measures the rate and intensity of contractions. It seems to measure the intensity of contractions from 0 to 100. What is the average intensity rate when you are in active labour, does anyone know? My contractions (or more accurately 'tightenings' as the doctors clarified) have gone up to about 50-60 at times and stayed at that rate for about 30-45 seconds but they were obviously not enough to bring on active labour, however I am 1cm dilated and have been for about a week now.
Be interesting to know your experiences.
