Non Stress Test slightly stressing me out...

lsleeper22 · January 2013

So, I had an ultrasound today (31 weeks) and Doc said growth seems great. He did say I'm measuing about a week and a half ahead (which I've heard to be fairly common) and informed me that he (the specialist) AND my regular OB would EACH like to see me once a week (twice a week total) for non-stress fetal monitoring tests.

My work office is a good 20-30 minutes away from both Dr's and while still working full time, twice a week at this point seems a bit excessive to me. Granted, we found out in the first tri that I was hypo-thyoid. I was put on 50 mcgs of Synthroid, which was upped to 88mcgs soon there after and all has been well eversince. So that has been the reason all along for the monthly ultrasounds (which don't get me wrong, I appreciate), but now they want the NST at two different appointments each week from here on out.

Has anyone else started this early with the NST and had to go that often? I know its all to track the health of my LO and is due to the Thyroid concern, but I can't help but feel once a week should suffice. If I had nothing better to do, it wouldn't really be an issue, but I just don't want to take advantage of the office anymore than I need to.

Anyone have any experience/advice/thoughts? I greatly appreciate any insight.

Thank you!

songs4drowning · January 2013

Two NSTs a week seems excessive to me, but I don't know anything at all about thyroid issues. It could just be that the doctors don't want to have the hassle of sharing the data between each other and want their each tests, and if so maybe you could get it to where they are both scheduled in the same day? If it really is needed that you have two tests a week, you should ask so that at least you know why their reasonings are and have a better understanding of the issues you're facing in pregnancy.

lsleeper22 · January 2013

Yes, I plan to.

I see my regular OB on Tuesday and definitely plan to discuss it all in further detail with her then.

emriley84 · January 2013

My doc does BPPs, not NSTs, but I go twice a week, starting this week. I also see endo 1x/week for gestational diabetes. Luckily they are all in the hospital, so my OB is very flexible and Tuesdays I go to endo at 9, then go to OB and they do my BPP whenever I get there, and Thursdays I have my BPP at 9, and see my OB after. Thankfully they all work together and are on the same page, or this would be a total nightmare. I have a 2yo that I need child care for during all these appts, so at least they're done together.

flapurls · January 2013

I am high risk and they started me on the twice weekly NST's at about 31 weeks as well. Both my OB and specialist both believe it's a good idea at this point and since its non-invasive I do not mind. Taking the time away from work has been a bit of a hassle for me though, but I found that at least in my area, I can go to L&D at my hospital and have it done at any time of the day, so I just go after work. You might want to inquire about doing that if it would ease some of the stress for you; I know it sure did for me.

lkm2006 · January 2013

With my first, I went twice a week for BPPs from weeks 28-36 (when I was induced). I had it incredibly easy, as I wasn't working and didn't have any kids.

Now I have been going once a week since 31 weeks and while I'm fortunate enough that I don't have to go around a work schedule (I stay at home) it's becoming increasingly difficult finding someone that can watch DS. I'm having to get my husband to take off work to come to my appointments with me just to watch him!

lsleeper22 · January 2013

flapurls:
I am high risk and they started me on the twice weekly NST's at about 31 weeks as well. Both my OB and specialist both believe it's a good idea at this point and since its non-invasive I do not mind. Taking the time away from work has been a bit of a hassle for me though, but I found that at least in my area, I can go to L&D at my hospital and have it done at any time of the day, so I just go after work. You might want to inquire about doing that if it would ease some of the stress for you; I know it sure did for me.

I guess I just didn't reallize the NSTing was such a lengthy series of tests. The way it is described in a lot of resourses, it sounds more like a one time test to go along with an ultrasound for your Biophysical profile.

I'm happy to do it, just hoping to find a way to keep it from interfering with work too much. That's a great idea though... thank you for sharing! I assumed it would have to be during office hours, but if I could find an alternative that would be awesome!

BelhurstBride · January 2013

A NST can be completely separate from a BPP and isn't usually a lengthy series of tests. (A nonreactive NST involves additional testing.) It sounds like you have more going on than just a NST? U/s are not a usual part of NSTing.

lsleeper22 · January 2013

I was only referencing the BPP because that is the only mention of NST I came accross when reading about third-tri testing here on the website:

https://pregnant.thebump.com/pregnancy/first-trimester/articles/prenatal-tests-checklist.aspx

However, twice a week for 8 weeks seems like a lengthy series of tests to me, and that is specifically for the NST only. I was only stating that U/S are part of the BPP, not part of the NST itself. Sorry if that mislead anyone.

starting all over again · January 2013

I'm high risk for GD. I live at least 45 min away from the hospital and OB's office. I go twice a week for NST as well as a weekly OB appt and biweekly u/s. I was told none of these appt. can be made for the same day so I'm driving 3-4 times weekly to these and have since week 33.

sephora468 · February 2013

Hi,

I have to get them as we'll. I will be starting at 30 weeks. I'm a high risk patient with hyper-thyroid complications. I had to be hospitalized (27 & 28 weeks) for a week due to both high blood pressure and rapid heart beats.

I have to get the NST tests twice a week. As well a twice monthly ultrasounds and seeing my high risk and regular ob every other week...not to mention my endocrinologist once a month. Yet I'm trying to take it all in stride because this is all for the health of my baby as well as myself.

Hang in there...

tig594 · February 2013

I am in the same boat...start NSTs 2x a week next week (at 30 weeks) because I am diabetic with hypothyroidism. However, I have scheduled my appointments on Wednesdays and Saturdays as late as possible so I only have to leave work one day 15 minutes early. I have one on Wednesday where I have to see the OB (5 minutes away) first and will have the NST done in her office after. The second one we are scheduling for every Saturday at the hospital so that won't interfere with work at all. Maybe scheduling yours for very late or very early in the day will help. Mine are scheduled out for the next 2 months so I am sure to snag the times best for me.

My perinatologist and Endo are both 45 minutes away. I see the perinatologist once a month for growth scans and my Endo every 3-6 months. The Endo is still keeping track of my thyroid once a month with a standing lab order I can do 5 minutes from home. They just send him the results and his office calls to change my thyroid meds if needed. Easy enough.

Hope this helps. I know it's such a pain to miss work for all these appointments...especially the ones that are so far away. But it's worth it to make sure the LOs are safe and healthy.

Non Stress Test slightly stressing me out...

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