Can you explain the "non-stress" test?

Question

I'm 39 weeks, 3 days today. If I haven't had my baby by the time I turn 41 weeks, they'll do a non-stress test and possibly schedule an induction. I didn't think to ask them to explain the non-stress test.

Thanks!

*I tried to post this once already, but it doesn't seem to have come up. Sorry if it's on here twice!

Answer 1

They hook you up to two monitors, one to trace the baby's heart rate, the other to see if you are having contractions.

What they look at:

1. Baby's baseline heart rate over the span of at least 30 minutes. It should be between 110-160. There should be the presence of "variability", meaning it doesn't stay a constant rate, it fluctuates - the tracing line looks squiggly.

2. The presence of at least 2 heart rate accelerations of at least 15 beats per minute above the baseline rate, lasting at least 15 seconds in length. This often happens when baby moves. Think of it this way, if you walk up a flight of stairs, your heart rate increases slightly. Baby's activity in the womb should have the same effect.

3. The absence of significant decelerations from the baseline. While variability is normal and there will be minor dips in the rate, there should not be any dips more than 15 beats which steadily slope down and stay well below the base for more than 20 seconds. It is especially important to note when decels happen in relation to any possible contraction, as decels can mean different things depending on if it starts at the beginning, middle, or end of a contraction.

The essential meaning of all of this is whether or not the placenta is thriving and the baby is receiving enough oxygen. If all is well, the NST is said to be "reactive", which means baby is fine. If there are no accelerations, minimal or no variability, then it is "non-reactive" and the next step would be performing an ultrasound biophysical profile which looks at baby's muscle tone, breathing movements, fluid levels, etc.

Answer 2

I had two before I gave birth.  They are easy, painless, and actually relaxing.  You will be hooked up to two monitors, one can tell whether you're having contractions or not, and one monitors your Babbie's heart rate.  They give you a little handheld button and when/if you feel the baby move you press the button.  That's it!  What the test can tell them is basically how the baby is doing, is she moving enough, and is her heart rate where it should be.  Is her heart rate affected by ant contractions you may be having?  They're probably doing one once you hit 41 weeks because they start to get concerned around that time that baby is not doing well inside the womb, and stress (change in heart rate) during contractions, or lack of movement are signs baby is not doing so well.

Hopefully she will be here well before 41 weeks!!!!!!

Answer 3

they basically hook you up to machines, and they register the baby's heart rate in comparison to his movements. whenever you feel the baby move, you have to press a button. it then shows it on a printout. it is just to make sure your baby is still doing okay in there. youre in the home stretch. good luck!

Answer 4

A nonstress test is really simple and quite relaxing. You go to the hospital and lie on the bed. Then you get hooked up to two monitors, one for the babies heartbeat and one for contractions and they watch both of these. Depending on what they are looking for, you could be there 10 minutes, you could be there for 2 hours. I have had two now with this pregnancy due to some complications and have had one thats 20 minutes and one that was 45 minutes. You really could fall asleep so bring a book or something.