Non Stress Test (NST) is a painless,simple and common prenatal test to check on an unborn baby's health.It takes nearly 30-60 minutes and is also called the fetal heart rate monitoring test.

WHY IS NON STRESS TEST IN PREGNANCY DONE?

It provides useful information about the baby's oxygen supply by monitoring its heart rate and the way it responds to the baby's movement.

Doctor might recommend a Non Stress Test, in cases:

• multiple pregnancy with earlier complications
• underlying medical conditions-type 1 diabetes, hypertension, blood disorder, lupus, thyroid disease, kidney or heart disease
• post term pregnancy
• previous history of pregnancy loss
• baby with decreased fetal movements or possible fetal developmental issues
• too much or low amniotic fluid
• Rh (rhesus) sensitization 
• alerting results from other prenatal tests

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A NON STRESS TEST IN PREGNANCY?

• mother must eat something before the test 
• empty the bladder before NST 

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE TEST? 

• the patient is asked to lie on her left side for the test
• two fetal monitor pieces are placed on her abdomen held in place by elastic belts
• one piece records the baby’s heartbeat and movements while the other records uterus contractions 
• nurse monitors the baby’s movements and records its heart beat rate
• in case of an inactive baby, patient may be required to move or may be exposed to bit noise and touch 

After the Test 

The results of a Non Stress Test (NST) are available mostly immediately.

INTERPRETATION 

Reactive: if the baby’s heart beats faster while it moves at least twice in 20 minutes 

Non Reactive: if the baby’s heart does not beat faster enough while it moves.He or she Is quiet or immobile which necessarily does not mean something wrong. Additional tests might be needed. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

A Non Stress Test (NST) is a noninvasive test and doesn't pose any physical risks to the mother and baby. It is chosen to be mostly performed once or twice a week.