NST

[onlyme27]

I went to the doc on Wednesday.  All appears to be well.  The doctor told me that I was going to be doing NST upon each weekly visit now.  I asked him why.  He said that I was a high risk pregnancy b/c of my thyroid problems (which I thought was under control)and my history of pre-term labor.  I know that thye are no big deal, but should I be concerned that he is finding it important to do these now weekly? I already worry that about this baby all the time.  What exactly are they looking for in these tests?  What happens if it doesn't turn out well?

[LosingMyMindInGA]

It's not big deal, I had them up to twice weekly with my last 3 pregnancies (so far not this one tho).  They measure what your baby's baseline heartbeat is that particular day...and the baby must be "reactive" atleast 3 times in one hour.  MY doctors idea of reactive was for the heartbeat to rise 10 beats ABOVE the baseline and stay that way for 10 seconds at 3 seperate times during the test.  If your baby is NOT reactive it does not mean something is wrong, baby may just be feeling lazy that day.  The doc may have you drink something or they baby push on your belly to try and stir the baby.  Some docs have this little buzzer they'll put down by the baby's head and buzz it to startle them.  It doesn't hurt them.  

[onlyme27]

That does make me feel a little bit better.  I am just concerned about everything like any other mom to be.  I know it is not a big deal.  I am just not sure what to expect.

[alaysha]

The stress test basically monitors the baby for about an hour. In that hour the babies heart rate should increase I think its like 3 times. If it doesn't increase that often they wait another hour to see if it does that time. Its basically that if the heart rate doesn't increase that often then the baby could be in fetal distress in which case they may give you an ultrasound or do something else to make sure the baby is okay. I had to do it with Aspen and she failed like twice and then the third time passed. So if your baby fails it once try not to worry it might be okay.