Non-stress test question

june2016baby · May 2016

I've been getting a NST every week since 32 weeks because of AMA. They've been fine, except for the last time. I was getting very light-headed and sickish feeling from being on my back so long (about 30 minutes total). When the midwife came into my room after the test, I told her that I felt really bad from being on my back. She replied, "Oh, I keep telling my nurses that's not the best position for the test." (The nurse is the one who did the actual test, and the midwife came in to see me afterwards.) I don't understand why the midwife said this, as all the nurses have had me on my back, and it doesn't seem as though she (or any other midwife/doctor) are actually making this clear to the nurses.

I go again in Wednesday, and plan to flat out refuse the test if the nurse won't let me do it sitting up or on my left side (the only two ways I don't feel light-headed.)

My question: Does anyone else have a practice that tries to make a 39 lweek pregnant lady lay on her back for so long? If they give me any trouble about it next time, I'm going to make a complaint to one of the partners of the practice. It just doesn't seem right to me.

hollywoodave531 · May 2016

I had twice weekly NST's and always sat in a seated position. That's seems very odd that they would make you lay like that!

26pointrunningfor2 · May 2016

My office has a recliner to sit in for the NST.
I can't lay on my back for more than a couple of minutes. I thought I was going to pass out during my ultrasound last week, so I can't imagine laying down for the entire NST!

alileecam · May 2016

I get them weekly too, and they have a recliner. One time, because I was having too many contractions, they had me lay on my left side and drink water and last time they put the recliner all the way back because the baby kept moving to where the monitor wasn't picking up his heartbeat. At the high-risk doctor, I would have coughing fits and start to panic when they made me lie flat on my back for too long (sometimes up to 2.5 hours!) for ultrasounds. I would just ask the nurse flat-out if you can lie on your left side during the test and see if she can make sure the monitors are hooked up for that to work.

Bee112309 · May 2016

I've also been in a recliner for all NSTs. That seems so odd to me!

MynaBird · May 2016

My OB doesn't do them in the office, so I go to the hospital when I need one, and they've never had me lie all the way flat! How awful. Always in a reclined position or on my side. I know it has to do with where the baby is positioned, but still, it seems like they should be able to keep you in a position that doesn't make you sick.

DeePaddy24 · May 2016

Yikes, I'd refuse too! I've been having weekly NSTs at the hospital & am always in a reclined position. I can't believe a nurse would be having you lay flat like that!

Tawny87 · May 2016

I've done it on my back several times but if I have problems I ask them to get some pillows to tilt me to my side and it helps a lot. It hasn't bothered me much This time but with my twins last time I was always ready to pass out immediately the second I was on my back.

cmac827 · May 2016

You're having NSTs only due to AMA? I thought they had to have another reason too. I think I probably would refuse them all together if I had to lay on my back. I'm AMA and not having them and they weren't offered.

26pointrunningfor2 · May 2016

@cmac827 I've had an on-paper perfect pregnancy and I have had a weekly NST since week 32 just because I'm 35. I think it depends on your doctor.

june2016baby · May 2016

cmac827 said:

You're having NSTs only due to AMA? I thought they had to have another reason too. I think I probably would refuse them all together if I had to lay on my back. I'm AMA and not having them and they weren't offered.

I think AMA is the only reason. Baby was measuring in only the 5th percentile at one point, so maybe that's a reason also. But when I asked, I was told it was due to AMA.m

MynaBird · May 2016

It's strange to me that AMA alone would be enough to prompt weekly NSTs in an otherwise routine/healthy pregnancy. I'm 37 and the only reason I've had any is the combination of my baby's urinary tract condition + low amniotic fluid.

alileecam · May 2016

MynaBird said:

It's strange to me that AMA alone would be enough to prompt weekly NSTs in an otherwise routine/healthy pregnancy. I'm 37 and the only reason I've had any is the combination of my baby's urinary tract condition + low amniotic fluid.

Me too. I am also 37 but have high amniotic fluid, a history of preterm delivery and have had test results that indicate a possibility of a protein that's linked to growth problems and my understanding is that the NSTs really have nothing to do with my age--just the factors that could put the baby at risk.

PBear93 · May 2016

My office starts doing weekly NST at 36 or 37 weeks. And I am always reclined or sitting up for them. I couldn't imagine doing them while laying on my back--I've sorry you've been doing that OP.

cjackrunfast78 · May 2016

I am 38 hears old and 37 weeks. My OB just requested last week that I start NSTs this week. Due to my age and with my last pregnancy I had pre e she is trying to be proactive to make sure that the baby is ok...

Jgar2u2 · May 2016

I have tests done twice a week. The first one I was on my left side and the others I was on my back. I think if I told them I wanted to do left side they wouldn't care. Tell them when you go in again how you feel when you're sitting like that for so long and say you need to lay on your left side or sit up.

thycapa · May 2016

I have them twice weekly and they have recliners. They only make you lay back a little based on baby's position if necessary when I have went.

Rosehip15 · May 2016

I would refuse all together if AMA is the only indication (and I'm "elderly" at age 39, according to my ultrasound reports). But that's me. In any event, there's absolutely no way I would lie flat. That's insane.

jmohio · May 2016

I have had a few and the first doctor I was just about flat on my back and expressed the discomfort. The nurse put me flat on my back for the second on explaining that is how I had to lay...a different doctor came in and was mad. She adjusted the bed to were I was pretty much sitting up with a slight recline.

gdjoken · May 2016

I've also always been in a recliner for my NSTs. If they insist on you lying on your back, maybe a few pillows under one hip would help move your baby enough to reduce the light headedness but still give them the position they need to monitor your LO.

ashleyrobertson0113 · May 2016

I had a NST on Wednesday and they had me on my left side. If they try to make you lay on your back tell them you can't and request it on your side. They should be willing to accommodate that.

bray1214 · June 2016

My practice does one when your 40+ weeks in a healthy pregnancy. I had to lay on my back but like kinda sitting up. Not flat in my back. Just super reclined, And also had to lean a little bit to the left to get the moniter to get a good reading. I was allowed to lay on my left side completely but I'm not comfortable doing that without pillows. Really the nurse made sure it was about my comfort over all. She kept comming in and asking me how I was feeling and everything.

adiaz132003 · June 2016

Mine was on the exam table don't it was set in a reclined position.

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