Bump & Beyond | What is a Non-Stress Test During Pregnancy?

Have you ever heard of a non-stress test? At some point in your pregnancy, your obstetrician may want to perform a non-stress test. A non-stress test is a diagnostic tool used in pregnancy to assess fetal status by monitoring fetal heart rate and its responsiveness. 

There are a variety of reasons your provider might suggest a non-stress test during pregnancy. The test can be performed at 28-weeks gestation or after. If you are experiencing a problem or would like to check if you are in labor, this test can be done to check in on the baby.

The test is called a non-stress test because doing the exam causes no stress to the baby, and no interventions that would cause stress are performed. Results are either reactive or nonreactive. Reactive is the result we like to see. Nonreactive results are not automatically an emergency, but they indicate that more tests may be necessary. Checking for reactivity gives your provider a look at how your baby is doing and whether or not your baby is getting enough oxygen.

When it comes to any kind of screening, it can be nerve-wracking if you aren't sure what to expect, so let's talk about what a non-stress test involves. A non-stress test can be performed in your obstetrician's office or in labor and delivery. To start the test, you will be placed on a fetal monitor. A fetal monitor has two components that go on your abdomen:

• Ultrasound: This piece of equipment monitors fetal heart rate. The provider or nurse will put some ultrasound jelly on the monitor and search for a good spot to place this monitor. The placement of this monitor depends on the best spot to pick up the fetal heart rate but will often be around the lower abdomen. If you are carrying more than one baby, you need one for each baby.

• Tocodynamometer (toco): This is a pressure-sensitive device that is placed on the abdomen close to the fundus. (The fundus is the top of the uterus.) The toco measures pressure changes to help look for contractions. This is an external monitor, so it can let your health care team know how often contractions occur and how long they last.

The test is done while you rest for at least 20 minutes. During this time, the healthcare team is monitoring your baby's heart rate. In some cases, you are given a button to press any time you feel the baby move. This places a mark on the test to let the health care team know when the baby is moving.

When I was pregnant, I fell while walking my dog. Being pregnant, it is a little easier to lose your balance. Since I fell on my side, I called my doctor, and she asked me to come to labor and delivery to be checked out. After being monitored and making sure I wasn’t hurt, we checked my non-stress test. Everything looked good for me and my baby, so we got to go home! I was so grateful we were both ok, and having a way to check in on my girl was comforting.

_______

Bump & Beyond is a blog series from Infirmary Health to provide guidance and education to pre and post-partum moms. Learn more about the author of this blog, childbirth educator, Sarah Mallonee.

If you are looking for women’s health information from a trusted source, Infirmary Health’s community resources are a great place to learn, listen and join the conversation regarding your health and wellness. Click here to find the right community for you!