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NST and contraction question

MrsSRMrsSR member
in 3rd Trimester

My NST scan was picking up some contractions today.  Some of them were registering around 80 (the second number on the machine I was hooked to).

They weren't very painful though.  I guess I'm just wondering if these were BH contractions.  Can the scan pick up on "false contractions"??

Also, do these false contractions DO anything in terms of preparing the body for labor?

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Re: NST and contraction question

  • HorseyMama08HorseyMama08
    If the contractions were irregular they are probably BH contractions. The number is really kind of arbitrary from what I've noticed. I've had PTL and have been hooked to the machines several times. The machine seems to measure an increase in tightness of the uterine muscles. Whenever your nurse moves the monitor they are supposed to reset the machine so that no contractions is at about 5 and anything above that will register on the machine. If they haven't reset it your contractions can look a lot bigger than they really are. The biggest thing they're watching on those machines is how often/regular your contractions are and how long they last.
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  • DiAnne82DiAnne82

    I'm not sure about what the number means, but when I was actually in labor with DD, I went several hours having real contractions that I couldn't feel at all (I only knew I was having them because I was being monitored). 

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  • bbwgirlbbwgirl
    The numbers measure the intensity of the contractions when the internal monitors are placed, During an nst just a toco monitor is placed on your abdomen and the numbers really do not mean anything.
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  • MrsSRMrsSR member

    imagebbwgirl:
    The numbers measure the intensity of the contractions when the internal monitors are placed, During an nst just a toco monitor is placed on your abdomen and the numbers really do not mean anything.

    I had two monitors on me; one for the heart rate of LO and one for my contractions. 

    What numbers don't mean anything?  The contraction number? 

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  • rhoneelynnrhoneelynn

    I have nst's twice a week.  The monitor can pick up BH contractions because of the fact that your muscles do tighten when you are having them.  The actual number itself of the contractions monitor doesnt matter, as your starting number is different for each person.  I know my Dr likes to know the difference between my starting number and the climax of my contraction.  Also the shape of the contraction on the monitor tells them a lot more then the actual number.  If it is a true contraction it should look more like a hill...where you have slight incline for a while, then reach the climax, then it gradually go back down. 

    Hope that helps!

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  • bbwgirlbbwgirl
    The contraction numbers dont mean anything as long as you have an external moniter on. The contraction number is taken into account when you have an internal contraction moniter. When you have pitocin running, often the doctors can tell if the dose is effective by how high the number goes. If it goes to high, you begin to hyperstimulate your uterus. If the number is not high enough, the pitocin may not be effective and they can up the dose.
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