A fetal nonstress test monitors the fetal heart rate after the 28th week of pregnancy to check for potential complications. The test is non-invasive and involves monitoring the heart rate in response to fetal movement. Follow-up tests may be needed if the fetus is nonresponsive. The test is recommended for high-risk pregnancies, concerns about the placenta, or if the fetus is moving less than usual. The test can be repeated if the fetus is asleep or uncooperative. Multiple sessions may be recommended, and ultrasound and other testing options are available if abnormalities are seen.
A fetal nonstress test (NST) is a type of fetal screening done to check the health of a fetus after the 28th week of pregnancy. This test involves monitoring the fetal heart rate over a period of time to see if the heart rate increases when the baby moves. If not, it may indicate that there is a problem with the placenta or that there are other pregnancy complications. If the test shows that the fetus is “nonresponsive,” meaning there are no changes in heart rate, this isn’t necessarily an immediate cause for concern. Follow-up tests are needed to find out more.
Fetal NSTs are usually recommended when women have high-risk pregnancies, when a doctor is concerned about the placenta, or when a woman notices that the fetus is moving less than usual. The test is non-invasive and carries no risks. Fetal NST can be done in a clinic or doctor’s office and can be done during an appointment for a regular prenatal exam for convenience.
In a fetal NST, the woman lies on an examination table and a belt with a fetal heart rate monitor is placed around her belly. Every time the boy moves, the woman presses a button. Movements are matched to fetal heart monitor readings to see how heart rate responds to movement. A “reactive” test result indicates that rare changes in the heart have been seen during fetal NST and is a good sign.
The most frequent problem seen with a fetal NST is that the fetus is asleep or not very active. The test can be timed over a period when the fetus is moving normally, and if the fetus is unwilling to cooperate, sometimes gently touching the belly or beeping will wake the fetus and encourage it to move. External stimuli can often evoke a response in the fetus and are usually sufficient to awaken the fetus for testing.
A doctor may recommend multiple sessions of fetal NST over the course of a pregnancy to monitor the mother and fetus. If abnormalities are seen, ultrasound and other testing options are available to learn more about why the fetus is unresponsive. Women tend to learn about the fetus’s habits over time, and it’s wise to call the doctor if a fetus seems less active than usual to discuss possible causes and schedule a doctor’s appointment.
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