Did anyone not have NSTs?

amcam24

I'm 33 weeks, and my next appointment is at 34 weeks 4 days.  My OB said that would be a regular appointment and I would have another two weeks after that with another growth scan.  I didn't think to ask about the NSTs, I'm definitely going to ask next time, but I was wondering if they are always necessary?

macchiatto

I never had one. It sounds like a lot of MoMs on here have them, but I was at two different OB practices (switched at 31w) and they both just did BPPs every week and growth scans every other from 30w on. I asked one OB and she said NSTs weren't really necessary with the types of BPPs they do now.

allinduetime

i never had one either.

BitterOldHag

I never had one. My first one was scheduled for 36w4d but I was in labor and missed the appointment.

E&RMommy

An NST is a part of a BPP. 

BPP = biophysical profile.  A modified BPP (which has been found to be as good as a full BPP) includes an NST (20 minutes of monitoring fetal heart tones and contractions) and an AFI (amniotic fluid index).

 

macchiatto

E&RMommy:

An NST is a part of a BPP. 

BPP = biophysical profile.  A modified BPP (which has been found to be as good as a full BPP) includes an NST (20 minutes of monitoring fetal heart tones and contractions) and an AFI (amniotic fluid index).

 

Hmm. What was called a BPP at both the practices I went to involved only an ultrasound and babies were scaled on a score of, I believe, 0 to 8 for movement, amniotic fluid, heart rate, etc. Doesn't an NST involve other equipment? Belts placed on the abdomen?

ETA: Just looked it up. https://www.americanpregnancy.org/prenataltesting/biophysicalprofile.html What I always had was just the ultrasound part of the BPP without an NST.

E&RMommy

A full BPP has five components.  Four of them are on ultrasound (breathing, tone, gross movements, AFI).  The 5th component is the NST which uses the equipment to monitor heart tone and contractions. 

A modified BPP is AFI measured by ultrasound and an NST.

So you had a BPP of sorts...neither the full or the modified...but I guess that's just how your practices did them.    

babya2010

I haven't had any yet. I am getting growth u/s every 3 weeks and weekly appts now. I may bring it up at my appt today...

kimarino13

Yes, starting at 30 weeks, with a modified BPP (fluid check).  Twice a week until I delivered at 36 weeks.  My Peri doesn't think they are absolutely necessary, but sees them as a "can't hurt" type thing.

Temp6313048411121614

I wish I didn't.  I had NST's weekly from 28w on.  Once I spent over 2 hours getting one.

mrscalkins

I had weekly NST's starting at 30 weeks, then two a week at 36 weeks and on.  

mamam

I asked at my last appt and she said she did them at about 34-35 weeks. 

mlkwmu

i had mine every week since week 32.

anyalee

I asked my OB at my last appointment if I'd be getting them.  She said she doesn't do them routinely if your not over 35.  She said I'll only get them if there is a need arises.

shellshavintwins

I had one a week, at a Perinatal center in our hospital starting at 30 weeks. I had a few extra ones at the end too when it looked like it was anyday. They helped pick up all the early contractions I was having and backed up my OBs high BP readings. I was able to have early labor contractions stopped,with Terbutaline, and get Steroid injections when the girls kept trying to come early. I truly believe if I hadn't gone to every one of them my girls may have come earlier.