~where's all my high risk mommas?~

sherrixlynn

Hi mommas! I'm a high risk momma, I see a high risk obgyn every two weeks to check on Logan, my regular obgyn for normal check ups, a chiropractor every week for herniated disks, and now they have added a non stress test every week until I deliver.
Here's my question, anyone know about the contraction readings on the non stress testing? Last weeks was in the 50s and I could feel them. Last baby was born at 36 weeks because my water broke. So at 33 weeks I'm getting anxious it'll start all over again, I was in active labor every week from 32-36 weeks last pregnancy. This time around I'm high risk due to herniated discs, pelvis is sprained, I had fifths disease / slap face during my pregnancy, & I'm high risk for a repeat preterm labor. It's been a long road but I also want Logan to be healthy. The doctors already have me on maturnity leave from work #-o so I'm going stir crazy!
Looking forward to all the support or mommas in the same position!

mommydlc

I asked at my last NST because my contraction number didn't go below 50 and the doctor said that doesn't matter they just look at the rise and fall of the numbers. The base number doesn't really matter they don't look at it.

sherrixlynn

It would be nice to understand what constitutes as me having to stay for more monitoring or them wanting to induce right away. So scary I guess Wednesday when I go back to the doctor I'll have to ask her instead. Thanks for the heads up!

kales0719

I was told at my NST that the contraction number wasn't important either, they are just looking that when he moves so does his heart rate. Obviously if I started having crazy contractions I'm sure they'd say something but I wasn't given a base number, and that line doesn't move much when I have mine tests.

dancegurl1118

The contraction monitor doesn't tell you how strong the contractions are, just the frequency of contractions. Unfortunately only an internal uterine monitor call tell the strength! Good luck with your high risk needs, wishing you uneventful appointments and deliveries!

sherrixlynn

Dancegurl, thank you! Kales, good info too thank you :x

MrsCaliRN

dancegurl1118 said:

The contraction monitor doesn't tell you how strong the contractions are, just the frequency of contractions. Unfortunately only an internal uterine monitor call tell the strength! Good luck with your high risk needs, wishing you uneventful appointments and deliveries!

What she said. 

But with more explanation: The tocometer (the device they put on you to measure your contractions, sometimes called a "toco") can be applied with varying degrees of pressure (think: how tight they strap the band on you holding it in place), so your baseline (or reading when your uterus is completely soft with no contractions) could be 10 or 20 or even 50. What matters is the amount of force your hardening (ie. contracting uterus) puts on the toco, which is what will cause your contractions readings to go up. When your contraction dissipates again, you will notice those lovely hill-like patterns on the strip, and you should be back down to your baseline, whatever that was (10, 20, 50, whatever!)

bosleyb

After spending 3 weeks in the hospital and monitored twice daily I agree with all those who wrote above. What they look for is hill like patterns for contractions and they will leave you on longer if you are having more than one contraction every 10 minutes. They will also monitor you longer if during the contraction the baby's heartbeat slows drastically. The good signs they look for is an accelerated heartbeat when the baby moves. I got pretty good at reading those strips after 3 weeks ;-)

bosleyb

As for me, my water miraculously resealed. My doctor was shocked! So they let me out of the hospital and cancelled my c-section which was scheduled for May 11th (@ 34 weeks and one day). We hope to keep her in a few more weeks, presuming my blood pressure stays down and I don't get preeclampsia.