What is an NST for? Dumb question

Question

Dumb question, but what is the point of an NST? I had an abnormal quad screen when I was 15 weeks, for T18. Additional testing came back low risk, but I've had additional US until 28 weeks. I'm 32 weeks now and today I'm starting weekly NSTs. So it was a high risk pregnancy, but kind of has gone to be a normal pregnancy. So I'm not entirely sure what they will be looking for during an NST?

Answer

If they don’t classify you as high risk anymore, not sure why they would do weekly nst. You should clarify with your OB. 
An NST is usually done on high risk pregnancies and it measure baby’s activity and heart reactivity over a certain amount of time. Basically making sure that baby’s heart is reacting appropriately to movement and or contractions if present at the time. 
Ill be doing weekly NST starting at 36w for GD

Answer

They look for signs of distress. They want to see babies heart beat going up when they move. I go for NST’s 2x a week due to cholestasis

Answer

It’s a stress test. They just hook you up to a monitor and watch your baby move for a while.

Answer

NST is common. They just want to make sure baby is happy and not stressed out. If baby is showing signs or a pattern of stress they can see that and take appropriate action. 
I got twice a week for NST and I've had 7 done and everything has shown normal. Baby is happy. It's annoying going in so often on top of the many regular appts. I asked the Drs if I can just come once a week and they said they don't reccomend that because something can change in a second. In my particular case they are doing NST due to gestational diabetes = high risk pregnancy. There is a chance of still birth in my case and they want to catch any abdominal before it happens. So I'm grateful that they care about my baby's safety as much as I do.

What is an NST for? Dumb question

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