NON STRESS TEST

This is simple and painless procedure is done during pregnancy to evaluate the baby condition. A
NST measures fetal heart rate, fetal movement and uterine activity in the third trimester to make
sure there is no fetal distress. The Fetal Non-Stress test is a simple, non-invasive test
performed in pregnancies. The test is named non-stress because no stress is placed on the
fetus during the test. A non stress test (NST) is a screening test used in pregnancy.
A cardiotocograph is used to monitor the fetal heart rate.
When is a NST performed?
NST is generally performed after 28 weeks of gestation. Before 28 weeks, the fetus is not
develop enough to respond to the test.
What does the NST look?
The primary goal of the test is to measure the heart rate of the fetus in response to its own
movements. Healthy babies will response with an increased heart rate during times of
movements and the heart rate will decreased at rest. (just as your heart beats faster when
youre active.)
When oxygen levels are low, the fetus may not respond normally. Low oxygen levels can often be
caused by problems with the placenta or umbilical cord.

Why Would A NST Be Performed?

A NST may be performed if:
1. All high risk pregnancy for any other reason example, Mother with diabetes thats treated
with medications, high blood pressure or some other medical conditions that could affect
pregnancy.
2. Decreased or less fetal movements: You sense the baby is not moving as frequently as
usual, fetal movements count less than 10 in 12 hours. Mother sense the fetus is not
moving as frequently as usual or mother fells less movement than she is feeling earlier.
3. There is any reason to suspect the placenta is not functioning adequately. The test can
indicate if the baby is not receiving enough oxygen because of placental or umbilical cord
problems; it can also indicate other types of fetal distress.
4. Post datism: You are overdue, when mother passes the expected date of delivery that time
also for checking fetal condition.
5. Unexplained fetal loss in previous pregnancy: mother lost a baby in the second trimester
of pregnancy, for an unknown cause.
6. Baby has been diagnosed with an abnormality or some defects that needs to be
monitored. Baby appears to be small or not growing properly. Mother have too
much or too little amniotic fluid.
How Is A NST Performed?
The test involves attaching one belt to the mothers abdomen to measure fetal heart rate and
another belt to measure contractions. Movement, heart rate and reactivity of heart rate to
movement is measured for 20-30 minutes. If the baby does not move, it does not necessarily
indicate there is a problem; the baby could just be asleep.

Advice mother to eat a meal just before the test in that hope that eating will stimulate the
fetus to move around.
Ask mother to empty the bladder before the test because the mother lying strapped to a
monitor for an hour.
During procedure give her supine position or ask mother to lie on left lateral position,
possibly with pillow under her back that allow her to lean back in a comfortable position.
Strap two devices to the mother belly. One for monitoring fetal heart rate and other one to
monitor contractions.
Technicians listen to check fetal heart rate and mothers contraction on electronic screen
while it also recorded on paper.
There is a third probe which is given to mother and instruct her to press when she feels
fetal movement.

What Do The NST Results Mean And What Are The Reasons For Further Testing?

A reactive non-stress result indicates that blood flow (and oxygen) to the fetus is
adequate.
A nonreactive non-stress result requires additional testing to determine whether the result
is truly due to poor oxygenation, or whether there are other reasons for fetal non-reactivity
(i.e. sleep patterns, certain maternal prescription or nonprescription drugs).

Fetal heart rate monitoring

Uterine contraction

In this method, health care provider straps an

ultrasound transducer over your abdomen that
will pick up the baby's heartbeat. The
heartbeat will be recorded continuously on a
paper strip. There may be another device
strapped on top of your abdomena pressure
gauge that measures the frequency of your
contractions. The combination of these two
measurements will provide detailed information
as to how baby is doing during labor.

The
pressure-sensitive contraction
transducer, called a tocodynamometer (toco)
has a flat area that is fixated to the skin by a
band around the belly. The pressure required
to flatten a section of the wall correlates with
the internal pressure, thereby providing an
estimate of it.

Why does the test measure contractions, and why would mother having them?
First, mother may or may not be having contractions at this point in pregnancy. If she has, they
could be Braxton-Hicks contractions, which are usually mild, irregular, and sporadic. These are
harmless and common during the third trimester. But if shes less than 37 weeks pregnant and
shes having continuous, repetitive, regular contractions, it could be a sign of preterm labor, and
doctor will want to evaluate your cervix to see if it's dilated.
Another reason to monitor contractions is to see whether baby's heart rate changes when you're
having them. If the heart rate drops during a contraction, it may be a sign that that there's a
problem with placenta and that comprises the supply of oxygen.