What do they do at a NST?

Re: What do they do at a NST?

• Flyswmer

  November 2009

  They hook you up for about 20 minutes, dependant upon the baby's movement/heart rate.  I have one every week and they last less than 10 minutes b.c she's always moving but also show's down time...

  Report0 Reply
• Loading the player...
• Stephy861 member

  November 2009

  they want to make sure that the baby is not in stress. they want the baby heatbeat to go up 10 beats when it moves. I start getting them at 32 weeks. I get them due to having a second trimester loss and because i have a clotting disorder

  Report0 Reply
• lil_mama_jen

  November 2009

  here's what's on my bump checklist for week 36...

  Re: I'm scheduled for a nonstress test soon... what should I expect? And what exactly is my doctor looking for?

  

  Good news: The nonstress test lives up to its name, both for you and baby. It's totally noninvasive, and poses no risk to baby. Be prepared, though -- it can easily take up to 40 minutes (make a bathroom stop first!), and might be a little noninteresting for you.
  

  The nonstress test evaluates baby's wellbeing by measuring how her heart rate responds to movement. It's a fetal monitoring method, meaning the purpose is simply to check on her well-being -- not cure a problem or ensure that baby's born healthy. It's normally performed after 28 weeks, most often in post term and high-risk pregnancies.
  

  For the test, a Doppler device will be strapped around your belly with a belt. The device is attached to ultrasound transducers which measure baby's heart rate. At the same time, baby's movements will be recorded, either with another device placed around your abdomen or a button that you press. If baby isn't doing much moving, she's probably snoozin'. Your doc may use a (completely safe!) buzzer-like device to create sound and vibration to wake her, or ask you to eat or drink something to encourage a stir.
  

  What's your doc looking for? Ideally, baby's heart rate will quicken when she moves. If this isn't the case, there could (meaning no need to freak out!) be a problem with baby's health, and your doc may recommend repeating the test or doing another procedure such as a contraction stress test. If baby doesn't respond after an hour and a half or so, you also may be asked to repeat the test.

  

  Report0 Reply
• tlquist

  November 2009

  I have 2 NST's a week, I am high risk, due to GD and high amniotic fluid. One monitor will be placed to track the baby's heartbeat, one will be placed to detect contractions. (They are both external monitors). You will be given a small handheld "beeper" that you will push whenever you feel movement. It usually will last around 20 minutes to 1/2 hour. They like to see how the baby reacts to contractions, movement and how the heartrate fluctuates.

  Hope this helps!!

  

  Report0 Reply
• dionnemd10 member

  November 2009

  when i was overdue with my first child-i had 3 nst.   two came with ultrasounds to measure fluid levels.   the hook you up to monitor movement and heart rate etc.   first time was quick as baby was moving really well and things were fine.  second time was longer and then the ultrasound so it took awhile.  the third time i was hooked up forever-had to drink some juice and then they had the paper in wrong-but once they switched it around baby was moving a lot so it was over but ultrasound showed low/borderline fluid levels so we scheduled an induction.   really painless and more precautionary than anything

  Report0 Reply
• JaredandKatie member

  November 2009

  Thanks ladies--very helpful!

  

  Report0 Reply
• qtjess1110

  November 2009

  I had a biophysical profile last week and they did a nst at that appt too I guess they just wanna see how the baby is doing.

  

  Report0 Reply
• getnmarried910 member

  November 2009

  They hook you up to a monitor to detect heart rate and contractions.  The ones my hospital uses are pretty new and it picks up baby movement, but the one in my doctors office I have to press a button everytime I feel movement.  They are watching for a certain number of heart accelerations and movement.

  Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml

  Report0 Reply
• ChicNotGeek

  November 2009

  they are also totally boring.  I had my first last week, and I was hooked up for an hour ... laying on my left side, on a very uncomfortable exam table.  Totally boring, and YES pee before you get hooked up.
  

  Report0 Reply