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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Any midwives kind enough to explain trace results for me?

14 replies

lollipopz · 20/02/2009 13:04

Had a trace done last night due to pains that turned out to be a uti. Just wondering about the second number on the machine i believe it is to do with the uterus. Is there a set number it should be at? Just wondering because I had a trace done last month and the number averaged at around 10 and last night it averaged around 40. Thanks

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Original poster

lollipopz · 20/02/2009 13:22

Bump!

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belgo · 20/02/2009 13:29

I'm not a midwife but I know UTIs can cause painful braxton hicks, because that happened to me during my first pregnancy. Did they eexamine you for any other signs of labour?

SlightlyMadScotland · 20/02/2009 13:34

The number increases when you have a contraction. It is more the ferquency, regularity and duration that is an issue.

When I was in (premature) labour it was going up from 12-15ish fto 25-35 ish. I was told that I "couldn't be in labour" as the number needs to go up to 70+. 2hrs latter I had 2 children!

The UTI would have been causing contractions (BH), which is not a real issue. Premature labour is.

SlightlyMadScotland · 20/02/2009 13:36

Original poster

lollipopz · 20/02/2009 13:37

No just the trace. She was going to take it off after 30 minutes but left it another 15 then got the doctor to check before they let me away. I know i should have asked what was going on but i am terrible for going home then wondering!

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Original poster

lollipopz · 20/02/2009 13:40

Was varying from 30 to 50 on and off but mostly around 39 40. Thanks for your advise

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belgo · 20/02/2009 13:43

did they give you treatment for the UTI? The most important thing is that it is treated and that you no longer have the pains.

Original poster

lollipopz · 20/02/2009 13:51

Yes got antibiotics. Not as crampy today though still quite hard.

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belgo · 20/02/2009 13:53

make sure you drink plenty and get loads of rest, and if you don't get better, see your midwife again.

SlightlyMadScotland · 20/02/2009 13:56

And keep your bladder empty

Original poster

lollipopz · 20/02/2009 14:07

Thanks both of you. Have been drinking only water today and feel better for it. Think i am managing to keep bladder empty as going to the toilet very regularly!

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Reesie · 20/02/2009 20:12

The bottom number is called he tocograph and it basically measures contractions. It doesn't matter what number it's on - that is completely determined on the location and tightness of the 'button' that is placed on your abdomen.

Midwives usually reset it back down to 10-20. What the important thing is with the tocograph is that if there is a contraction - it will pick it up and this number will rise and then fall as the contraction eases. This draws little 'hills' on the graph paper. It doesn't give us an indication of strength or length of contraction but will give us a record on how many contractions you have in a given time. We can also see how baby's heart rate responds to the contraction.

So, in short - the number will have no relevance at all if the line was straight. It's the little 'hills' that we look out for!

Original poster

lollipopz · 20/02/2009 20:41

Thanks Reesie, just had a wee look at it. There are 2 wee hills on it it was on for an hour and a half roughly they didn't seen concerned and i don't remember feeling them!

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Reesie · 21/02/2009 17:15

Probably a couple of braxton hicks or maybe they just occurred with baby's movement!

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