non stress test?

[cicon]

Hi everyone

I'm now 31 wks pregnant and am wondering how many of you have had non stress tests and how often, and at how many wks. I am a "high risk" in that I've had several miscarriages, have an incomp. cervix, and am on a daily blood thinner (Lovenox) due to an inherited clotting disorder. My OB thinks there is no need for non stress tests while I have heard of high risk people getting them weekly. Any insight as to the benefits to doing the test as well as your knowledge of them would be great. I'm having a hard time convincing my Dr.

Thanks
Cynthia

[Mrs.H]

My OB does NSTs on all of his high risk patients from about 35 weeks, twice a week. If there are any earlier omplications, he starts them earlier. I had pre-term labor at 33 weeks and had them from then on.

I must say, except that it's a little inconvenient, I love having them done. It's 20 min. to put your feet up, relax and listen to the baby's heart beat. I look forward to that part of the PG.

[cicon]

Hi Monica
Is the non stress test mostly due to preterm labor or is it to look at other issues (if so, what issues?) Also, I'm wondering what they do w/the information (?) In other words, if there is an issue, do they induce you?
Thanks for writing!
Cynthia

[BC-DKNY]

hi cynthia...

i believe the NST's are given for various reasons, and they look for various things.

i had GD with my last baby and starting at about 34-35 weeks i had to go in for weekly NST's and BPP's. they were checking on the movement of the baby, the change in HB when he did move. it should increase a certain amount when they move and decrease within a certain amount of time, etc. if the baby's HB didn't react accordingly, or he didn't move a certain amount of times within 20 minutes ( i think they were looking for approx 4 movements) then it would've been indicative of the baby being in some sort of stress and they would've checked into it further.

i agree with monica...it was nice to have it done. very reasurring too.

[Mrs.H]

Cynthia -

I have what the drs. call "advanced maternal age." That puts me in the high risk category. The info will show if the baby or you are in distress. It also charts is you are having any contractions. I was taken and checked internally several times when I was having contractions. Wasn't the real thing though. I think all the info is saved to mark if you've had any changes in your health or if the baby is showing any signs of having a problem. Then there's a record of it.

[BC-monarchbutterfly]

i had numerous ones done with my ds every week during the last 6 wks or so of my pg. i got sent in for another us because i was measuring big and his fluid was borderline low. they monitored me like a hawk my last few weeks of pg to make sure that he was okay and was not getting stressed out by all that is going on in there.

[BC-3boys2luv]

With my second child I went into PTL at 33 weeks - was given injections at the hospital and when things calmed down was sent home to complete bedrest (had been modified bedrest before due to my history) on medication. I had NSTs done starting at 33 weeks (that day that I called and told them something was going on). I didn't have one each week, though. I could have I'm sure. But I only requested them when the contractions were acting up - if they stayed away or very tiny and very spaced out I chose to wait (and stay lying down versus traveling to the hospital where they do them here). My contractions were brought on stronger by movement.

They are authorized for many different reasons. Does your Dr. have you doing movement counts? If you are doing those and they are OK that's probably why they haven't ordered one yet. But I would think you're definetely in for one as you get farther along (or if they aren't having you do the counts).

[chris cdn]

I had weekly NSTs at the very end of my pg (around 35-36 weeks). My peri did not have concerns (I had monthly scans to check growth, blood flow, etc.), but he sent me so I could have peace of mind that all was well with my baby. If you are worrying a lot, perhaps your doctor would set you up to ease your mind? I too was of advanced maternal age (sheesh, at 36!), had complications early in my pg, and took low molecular weight heparin for anticardiolipin antibodies (clotting issue).