What Does Toco Mean in Fetal Heart Monitoring? What Does It Represent?

Fetal heart monitoring TOCO refers to uterine contraction pressure, representing the uterine contractions of pregnant women. When uterine contractions occur in pregnant women, the intrauterine pressure will increase.

Fetal heart monitoring TOCO refers to uterine contraction pressure. TOCO is the waveform line of uterine contraction pressure during fetal heart monitoring. When uterine contractions occur in pregnant women, the intrauterine pressure will increase and then remain around 20mmHg.

Medically, uterine contractions are divided into two categories based on their frequency:

Normal: Observed for at least 30 minutes, with an average of ≤5 contractions per 10 minutes;

Excessive: Observed for at least 30 minutes, with an average of >5 contractions per 10 minutes.

Reminder: If a pregnant woman experiences more than 3 intrauterine pressures exceeding 50 times in 10 minutes, it indicates that she may be experiencing signs of approaching labor. If this occurs before the expected delivery date, it is recommended to consult a doctor for treatment.

False Uterine Contractions: Irregular contractions in pregnant women, characterized by irregularity, short duration, painlessness, and weak intensity, are known as false uterine contractions. They may stop when the mother-to-be changes her position. They become more intense towards the late stages of pregnancy, but there is still some time before the actual delivery. It is important to rest more and wait for the fetus to reach full term before delivery.

True Uterine Contractions: Regular and painful contractions during labor indicate true uterine contractions, which signify that the pregnant woman is about to deliver. She should immediately proceed to the hospital for delivery. Initially, true uterine contractions occur approximately once every 10 minutes, lasting about 40-60 seconds each. As time passes, the intervals between contractions become shorter, approximately 3-5 minutes.