montevideo units

[hoping to be an rn, ADN]

i usually count the mvu's at the start of the ctx...but someone told me the other day you can take the tip of the ctx and subtract the resting tone...is this correct..? i just want to make sure i am counting this and ctx, and duration correctly...

[Envy]

MVU's are measuring the tip of the contraction and subtracting the baseline resting tone. This is done over a 10 minute interval. This can only be done using an internal uterine pressure catheter.

[ragingmomster, BSN, MSN, RN]

continuing with this thread...

what are adequate MVU's and

what amount of MVU's is dangerous?

(will withhold my thoughts on the matter and institutional/ACOG guidelines at this time)

[CMCRN]

I was taught exactly as Envy says, 200 MVU are adequate and only with IUPC. But with new IUPC's they are obsolete, adequate labor is ucs of 60 or better, supposedly, but I still count up my MVUnits.

[SmilingBluEyes]

180-200 considered adequate on my unit.

More than that, should turn down pit and/or hydrate and reposition mom PRN.

[HappyNurse2005, RN]

I've seen residents try to do MVU's on pt's without IUPC in.

[bignursenancy]

That is why you are the nurse teaching the residents what the correct method is. Without you they know much less!! Our policy has always been if you have >240MVU in a 10min period then you best cut the pit off and let that uterus rest or the FHR seems to go south.

[enfermeraSG]

I was taught exactly as Envy says, 200 MVU are adequate and only with IUPC. But with new IUPC's they are obsolete, adequate labor is ucs of 60 or better, supposedly, but I still count up my MVUnits.

Why are they obsolete with new IUPC's? I just went through a city-wide course that was wonderfully informative and was supposed to include updated AWHONN/ACOG standards. Anyway, they are still teaching that 200 MVU's = adequate, and that you should never exceed 400. Honestly, I don't see too many docs adding up MVU's. (Maybe because of the obsolete thing?) I should ask. SG

[tamrnmomof4]

MVU's

How often are you calculating your MVU's, we are being to told to document every 30 min...:wavey

[enfermeraSG]

MVU's

How often are you calculating your MVU's, we are being to told to document every 30 min...:wavey

We don't. Not sure why. SG

[tamrnmomof4]

MVU's

How often are you calculating your MVU's, we are being to told to document every 30 min...:

The reason I ask is We think that this can be too much...just think FHR Q15 min, BP Q30 min, MVU's Q30 min and anything that needs to be doucmented. Now double this .... 2 patients, pit, epidural, iupc!!! this gets overwhelming. Calculating MVU's takes a few min...we think every 30 min is over the top. How are other units doing it??:uhoh21:

[JAHJF]

I calculate like Envy's post describes. At my hospital 180-240 is adequate. As for charting, if pt is on pit they get an exam page done q15min (including fhr and iupc/mvu).