BPP/NST advice (long)

Meg41208 · January 2009

This is a pretty simple question, but I just want to know what everyone else would do.

So when I had an u/s at 30w, the perinatalogist noted that I had a grade 2 placenta. It was showing more aging than they would have liked to see at that point, but from what I've ready, a grade 2 is not considered abnormal any time after the end of the second trimester. I don't have any risk factors for an aging placenta- no GD, pre-e, and I don't smoke or even go near people that are smoking.

They told me that they would have to monitor me to make sure that my fundal height was increasing at a normal rate, and in the 3 appointments I've had since that u/s, I measured 35 weeks at 33 weeks, 36 weeks at 35 weeks, and yesterday I still measured 36 weeks but the baby has dropped, so everything appears to be normal.

Anyway, at my appointment yesterday, my MW recommended weekly NSTs until I deliver. I'm having the first weekly one on Monday, at which point I will be 37 weeks.

If they find that the baby has grown normally and IF my placenta is still grade 2 or showing normal aging for gestational age, would you still continue to do the NSTs every week until delivery, or would you just say thanks but no thanks?

I've already met my insurance deductible for the year thanks to a trip to L&D earlier this month, so it's not an issue of having to pay, just more of a question on whether it's really necessary, because it's time consuming. The u/s at 30 weeks was a followup from the 20 week, where I had a couple of soft markers (but a normal quad screen and the findings were isolated- they were for 2 separate issues), otherwise I would not have had one because I am having an otherwise normal pregnancy.

houndbaby · January 2009

I would continue to do the weekly NST's and BPP if they are suggesting them, I have had one every week since I was 32w and everything has been fine with all of them, but I'm continuing them until I deliver cause you never know when something could change.

hjl050308 · January 2009

I get NSTs twice a week becuase my OB ordered them. Each time, thank God, they are perfect, but I continue to go becuase that's what the doctor ordered. If your MW is suggesting them and you don't have that much time left in your pregnancy, why would you not go? Something could happen at any time, even if you do well with your first.

Danielle McGrath · January 2009

I would defintely continue with them. If anything, it's just more reassurance that everything going well.

Brookemomof2 · January 2009

I would if I was you only because I feel like MW are more conservative then dr's and they wouldn't recommend test just because, not saying dr's do and that's just my opinion and yes I've seen both lol

KathlovesTim · January 2009

Ditto all the PP's. It's not that much time - 20 minutes unless there's no fetal movement (at least at my OB's).

It would be worth it to me to assure myself that all was well.

The BPP actually shows much more information about the function of the placenta (how it looks, how much amniotic fluid, etc)...

Mrs.Honeybunny · January 2009

I would do what they recommend. I do have GD and just started my weekly BPP. I would never not go just because if something would happen I would never forgive myself. then again I am a maternity nurse and have seen way too much!!! anyway GL

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BPP/NST advice (long)

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