Algorithm for Detection of Uterine Contractions from Electrohysterogram

At present, the most widespread method of monitoring of uterine contractions activity during pregnancy and labour is the external tocography. This mechanical method, however, has limited value resulting from its low accuracy and sensibility. Recent progress in new techniques of perinatal monitoring requires more precise method of monitoring uterine activity. The most promising seems to be the electrohysterography, which consist in recording of electrical uterine activity by means of electrodes attached to abdominal wall. We made an attempt to evaluate the possibility to replace the traditional mechanical method by the electrical one. We developed methods of extraction of slow wave from electrohysterogram. This slow wave corresponds to mechanical signal and can be regarded as a contractions wave. Then, using this wave, the contractions detection can be performed in a similar way as in conventional tocogram. The results obtained allow to conclude that there is close relation between electrical and mechanical signals of uterine activity. It manifests by similar number of contractions detected and large number of contractions being consistent.