Special Care for Mother and Baby

1140 E. 3900 S., Suite 390
Salt Lake City, UT 84124
Phone: 801-743-4700
Fax: 801-743-4705

Antenatal Testing

Nonstress Test (NST)

The non-stress test (NST) is a procedure to monitor signs of well-being in your baby. This test reflects how your baby is doing today. A non-stress test involves observing your baby's heart rate while you lay comfortably on your side in a recliner.

Monitors, placed on your abdomen, will record your baby's heart rate and any uterine contractions you may be having. A Labor and Delivery nurse will care for you and analyze the NST. Accelerations in the fetal heart rate usually occur when the baby moves. Approximately 50% of your baby's movements will go unnoticed by you. Occasionally, a sound maker, a vibroacoustic stimulator, is used to facilitate your baby's movement during testing.

All results from antepartum testing are sent to your doctor the same day the test is performed. If needed, the doctor will be contacted prior to your discharge.

Amniotic Fluid Index (AFI)

Your doctor may order an amniotic fluid index (AFI). This procedure is performed with the use of an ultrasound machine to measure the amniotic fluid. Your abdomen is visually divided into four quadrants, and the largest pocket of fluid in each quadrant is measured. The four measurements are added together to obtain the amniotic fluid volume. The normal amount of fluid is a range between 8-22 cm.

Biophysical Profile (BPP)

The biophysical profile is a test using an ultrasound machine to observe the baby's activity, muscle tone, and breathing motions and the amniotic fluid volume. The BPP may take an additional 30 minutes to complete. Your doctor will be notified of the results of the BPP.

Contraction Stress Test (CST)

If a non-reactive NST is obtained, a Contraction Stress Test (CST) may be ordered by your doctor. Contractions will be stimulated and the fetal heart rate monitored for response to the contractions. Contractions are elicited by nipple stimulation or by I.V. medication. This test would be done on the Labor & Delivery Unit.

Fetal Kick Counts

The fetal kick count is an assessment of your baby that can be performed at home. Daily counts will establish the baseline activity for your baby and you'll be able to recognize changes from normal.

Once a day, choose a time when your baby is normally active, which is often one hour following a meal. Position yourself comfortably on your left side and count the number of kicks and movements you feel within one hour. If an active phase, a fetus should have ten or more movements. Your baby may have many more. Establish the number of kicks normal for your baby. If your perception of the movement decreases by 50% or you notice fewer than ten movements within the hour, you should notify your health care provider. Sleep cycles are commonplace for a fetus. Drinking juice may help wake the fetus out of a sleep cycle.