Please come in & tell me about NSTs

JessieCupcake

I had a doctor appointment today (due date). I am still 2cm dilated & 60% effaced. I've been this way for the last 3 weeks.

Since I'm going to be overdue, the doctor is having me come in on Tuesday for a NST and sonogram. 

I know many of you ladies have had NSTs. Can you tell me about them? I have no idea what to expect. 

Thanks!

rissa_n

I had a few w/ my 1st pg, they will put you on the monitor for an hour or so to check baby's heart rate/movement pattern etc. ultrasound will check amniotic fluid levels, baby's size/position etc.  Usually pretty lowkey, I caught up on soaps & trashy mags during them

Heartcease

I'm glad that they're not a big deal.  I had my appointment today, and I have a NST scheduled for next Friday.  The doctor only mentioned monitoring the heartbeat, and I didn't know it would be so long.  I'm still hoping the baby comes before that

katielcorbin

Oh girl I've had plenty of these. When I was in the hospital I had about 4 a day (and I was there for 16 days). They are really a piece of cake. You just sit/lay in a recliner and they hook up 2 things to your belly. One will monitor the baby's heart beat and the other will see if your contracting at all. You will lay there for about 20 minutes or longer and they will watch for acceleration in the baby's heart beat. They usually want 5-8 accelerations which means that the baby is active. My daughter hated these lol. Every time they hooked me up she would kick the monitors and would move all over the place. She always passed the NST's with flying colors. I hope this helps you! And good luck!

AshleyR711

My ob does them routinely. So I've had two now ... they basically hook you up to monitor to see if you are a) having contractions and b) fetal movement. The movement they are looking for are heart rate accerleations when the baby moves, not necessarily every movement she makes.

It's not invasive and it's not scary, so don't worry!

JessieCupcake

Thanks for explaining it ladies! I feel better knowing it's a low key thing.

Heartcease, I'm hoping LO comes before mine too. But he seems to be pretty comfy in there!

Heartcease

Someone said they thought theirs was going to install cable TV  I had hoped so much that he would come in June, but it looks like I should have specified EARLY June hehe.  Good luck!  (Those OWTs about castor oil and spicy foods are starting to look tempting.)

LoveBug0516

Glad to hear it's relatively smooth. My OB just mentioned it on Wednesday and I never heard of it. Since my due date is today, I will likely have one scheduled for one day next week if baby girl does not come soon. Thank you for the info.

PhantomPower

My LO is never very cooperative for NSTs. I have to push a button every time I feel movement. I've found that eating an apple immediately beforehand helps wake him up and gets him moving around. 

naybird

NSTs are simple.  I go to the hospital for them twice a week.  

Where I go, I lay in a bed, and they put 2 monitors around my belly that measure the baby's heart beat and how it fluctuates with his movements.  Usually takes a half an hour. 

It's relaxing actually.  I like to lay there and just listen to my little guy's heart beat!

Good luck!