nonstress_test
Reviewed
A safe, painless test in the third trimester (usually after 28 weeks) that measures the baby's heart rate in response to movement or contractions. It helps check the baby's health before birth.
Preparation and collection
No special preparation; you may be asked to empty your bladder before the test.
Understanding this test
Use the reference interval and units printed by the laboratory that performed the test. A result outside that interval is not a diagnosis by itself, and a result inside it does not rule out every condition. Your symptoms, history, medicines, timing, and related tests can change what the result means.
- A nonreactive result does not always mean the baby has a health problem; the baby may have been asleep or certain medicines may affect the result.
- Additional testing (e.g., biophysical profile, contraction stress test) may be needed to clarify results.
What to do next
If you have questions about your results, talk to your provider.