Non-Stress Test

Last Wednesday, July 12th we did a non stress test and everything came out perfectly. The nurse told me they are very happy and obedient. And I've asked her what exactly that meant and she told me that's the best way she could explain it to me. So I insisted a little bit more and she told me that I have no contractions so far, that their heart rates are very good and they are pretty much on the same heart rate and that is a very good sign. We got one more confirmation that they seem very healthy!!! We are very happy and we are only a week away from their birth. Getting more excited every day!!!

NonStress test is: A “nonstress test” is so named because no particular stress is placed on the fetus by performing such a test. Whether the mother feels stressed by it depends on her anxiety level. A nonstress test involves attaching a belt with fetal heart rate and uterine contraction monitors around the mother’s abdomen. The heart rate is recorded for approximately 20-30 minutes, during which time the mother indicates whether she feels any fetal movements. This test has been performed in literally millions of women, and fetal heart rate patterns associated with normal outcomes in the baby have been identified. These patterns include: heart rate in the normal range (approximately 110 to 160 beats per minute), presence of occasional brief increases or accelerations in fetal heart rate (generally associated with fetal movements), and a lack of pronounced drops (decelerations) in fetal heart rate. These findings constitute what is called a “reactive” nonstress test, as opposed to a “nonreactive” nonstress test that would be characterized primarily by a lack of fetal heart rate accelerations.

The idea behind a nonstress test is that proper amounts of oxygen are required for the brain to send signals that will be transmitted via nerves to the heart, signals to which the heart will respond appropriately. When oxygen levels are low, the brain, nerves, and/or heart may not respond normally, and the resulting fetal heart rate patterns will not be reactive. It is important to note that many other factors besides lack of oxygen may cause a so called “nonreactive” pattern: fetal sleep cycles, certain maternal prescription or non-prescription drugs, and prematurity are among the most common of these.