Learn about the Non-stress test

The Non-stress test is a kind of check on the health of the fetus in order to detect the risks, thereby providing a timely prevention plan.

During pregnancy, there are many types of tests that you need to perform to ensure the health of mother and baby in the best condition such as double test, urine test, blood test. … Besides, one of the equally important tests is the Non-stress test.

What is the Non-stress test?

The non-stress test is a painless test done during pregnancy to assess the health of your baby. During the examination, the doctor will monitor the fetal heart rate while the fetus is resting and while the baby is active (kicking or kicking).

The test is usually done if you've passed your due date or 1-2 months before your due date when a high-risk pregnancy . Here are some reasons pregnant women need to have a Non-stress test:

The fetus is less active

Pregnancy hypertension

You have too little or too much amniotic fluid

The fetus is small or not growing as expected

The fetus has been diagnosed with either a birth defect or abnormality and should be monitored

You had a miscarriage while pregnant in the second half of your pregnancy. In this case, the Non-stress test can start from week 28

Have diabetes and need medical treatment, high blood pressure or some other health condition that can affect the health of your pregnancy

You have undergone medical procedures such as external rotation or amniocentesis in your third trimester (to determine if the baby's lungs are eligible for birth and to determine a uterine infection).

Risk of non-stress test

The Non-stress test is a non-invasive test that poses no physical risk to you and your baby. The term "non-stress" clearly defines the degree of harm to the fetus. However, this test makes many pregnant women worried because it can predict some health problems in the baby.

Test procedure

The Non-stress test does not require any special preparation, but pregnant mothers can go to the toilet and eat full before because the time is sometimes quite long. In addition, your doctor will help you check your blood pressure to make sure the readings are stable.

During the test, the pregnant mother will lie on her back in bed. Then the doctor will tie two devices to your abdomen: one that monitors the baby's heart rate and movement, and the other is responsible for recording contractions in the uterus. In addition, the doctor will give you a device and ask you to press the red button if you notice your baby is moving.

The doctor begins to listen and monitor the fetal heart rate through the monitor while your contractions are recorded on paper. If the fetus is not moving, it is very likely that the baby is sleeping. Therefore, the doctor will recommend that you drink a little water to let your baby move or wake the fetus by gently rubbing it on the womb. This test usually takes 20 to 60 minutes.

What do test results say?

The results of a non-stress test are looked at through:

Response

Before the 32nd week of pregnancy, the result is considered normal (responsive) if the baby's heart rate increases rapidly to a certain level on a baseline 2 or more times for at least 10 seconds, each time. within 20 minutes.

At 32 weeks of pregnancy or later, if the baby's heart rate rises rapidly to a certain level above the baseline two or more times for at least 15 seconds at a time for 20 minutes, then the fetus is on the response.

Not responding

If your baby's heart rate does not meet the criteria described above, the doctor will consider the non-response category. An unresponsive result may result from an inactive fetus or sleeping during the test.

Non-stress test results are considered reassuring based on the time required for observation. However, if the test lasts up to 40 minutes but the result is "unresponsive" then the doctor may perform several other prenatal tests to check the health of the fetus, for example as:

Physiological profile: This is a form of physical biometric profiling combining a Non-stress test with fetal ultrasound to assess the baby's breathing rate, body movement, muscle tone and amniotic fluid level. .

Check stress test: This test looks at how the baby's heart rate reacts when the mother's uterus contracts. During the stress test, if your uterus is unable to function properly, you will be given an injection of oxytocin through a vein or asked to stimulate your nipples to stimulate the uterus.

When is stress test performed?

Your doctor will perform a stress test for several reasons: First, you may or may not have uterine contractions at this point in pregnancy. If so, these would be physiological Braxton contractions and they would appear mild, irregular, and sporadic. Braxton-Hicks mounds are quite harmless and common in the third trimester.

But if the pregnant mother is less than 37 weeks pregnant and has constant, repetitive contractions, this may be a sign of preterm birth and the doctor will want to evaluate the cervix to see if this organ delete open no.

Another reason to watch for contractions is to see if your baby's heart rate has changed. If the heart rate drops during a contraction, this is an indication that the placenta seems to be in trouble and the baby's oxygen supply is not working as usual.

You may be interested in the topic:

How normal is vaginal discharge during pregnancy?

Do you know about double test for pregnant mothers?

Necessity of a tripple test during pregnancy