Stress test

[heatherq17]

Has anyone had them done before? I go tomorrow for one. The doctor said plan on being here for atleast an hr. He pretty much told me what they do. I go in everyweek now until my csection. Are they monitoring the movements? or more so the heart rate? or both? because someone told me that if the baby moves around to much you'll be there alot longer since that will mess the test up. She moves around like crazy so I guess I'll be there for a long time lol

 

[seamonster]

I had them done twice weekly at the end of my pregnancy, along with a fluid check. For the stress test, you'll lie in a bed and be hooked up to an external fetal monitor - it's just the belt that goes around your belly. They usually monitor the baby's heart rate for about 20 minutes, unless there's a problem. As far as I know, they don't monitor the movements. If you have to have a fluid check, they just do that via regular ultrasound and measure how many pockets of fluid you have left.

 

[jgonz]

I had a stress test done with my (now) 6 yr old. She was supposedly a week overdue (which she wasn't). Anyway, they did sonogram to check the amniotic fluid level (which was fine), then I had to lay on my side and hit the button on this hand-held thing every time the baby kicked/moved. At the same time we were doing this, they also had me on the external fetal monitor to see if I was having any contractions. I think I was there about an hour~ but it was no big deal, not stressful at all. They just want to make sure the Baby isn't in any stress.

I don't understand why you are having a stress test done though when you're having a c-section? and you're not close to your due date yet? You still have like 8 weeks to go, right? I would question the decision for that many stress tests...

 

[heatherq17]

I had a stress test done with my (now) 6 yr old. She was supposedly a week overdue (which she wasn't). Anyway, they did sonogram to check the amniotic fluid level (which was fine), then I had to lay on my side and hit the button on this hand-held thing every time the baby kicked/moved. At the same time we were doing this, they also had me on the external fetal monitor to see if I was having any contractions. I think I was there about an hour~ but it was no big deal, not stressful at all. They just want to make sure the Baby isn't in any stress.

I don't understand why you are having a stress test done though when you're having a c-section? and you're not close to your due date yet? You still have like 8 weeks to go, right? I would question the decision for that many stress tests...

I must of left out info. I am having weekley stress test done because 3 years ago I lost a baby because of a clot I had causing the cord to be to tight around his neck. and very high blood pressure and swelling. (I had preeclamsia) If they would have done a stress test the last time things might have been different. and all the doc said to me is im just wearing a belt around my belly for atleast 30 mins to monitor her heartbeat.No ultrasound. and the reason for the csection is because of what happened the last time and I wont be able to push the baby (small pelvic bones) Im having the csection nov 5th.

 

[Gods4me]

i got that done they were worried about how small my belly was thought i was only carring a 4 lbs baby. i actually enjoyed just sitting there listening to the heart beat. you push the botton when the baby moves. by baby ended up 6lbs so alot bigger than we were expecting.

glad to see the midwifes are keeping an extra eye on you.

the test nothing to worry about and you wont be there longer than an hour. the doc mite just have said an hour so you didnt expect just a 10 min appointment.

 

[Assisi]

I had a couple of stress tests in my last pregnancy. For me it was just external monitoring. One band to measure Baby's heartbeat, one to measure contractions (if any) and a little button I had to push every time I felt a kick or a swish. I also had an ultrasound to check fluid, placenta, cord and growth (Matt's femur measured 37 weeks when I was 41 weeks). But I only had the ultrasound once. The shortest stress test took 20 minutes, the longest took an hour. The ultrasound took about 45 minutes. For me, they turned the doppler up so that I could hear his heartbeat. It was lovely, and very relaxing.

Heather, how are you feeling as you approach 37 weeks?

 

[heatherq17]

I had a couple of stress tests in my last pregnancy. For me it was just external monitoring. One band to measure Baby's heartbeat, one to measure contractions (if any) and a little button I had to push every time I felt a kick or a swish. I also had an ultrasound to check fluid, placenta, cord and growth (Matt's femur measured 37 weeks when I was 41 weeks). But I only had the ultrasound once. The shortest stress test took 20 minutes, the longest took an hour. The ultrasound took about 45 minutes. For me, they turned the doppler up so that I could hear his heartbeat. It was lovely, and very relaxing.

Heather, how are you feeling as you approach 37 weeks?

No im about 33 weeks

 

[jgonz]

I'm sorry for your past loss. I've been there too~ I had a baby born with birth defects, was in NICU for 4.5 months, then passed away from surgical complications. It doesn't matter What the circumstances, it sucks any way you look at it.

I'm glad they're monitoring you closely this time. However, the chances of Pre-e Again are very slim. It's much more common in first time moms (for some odd reason) but not in subsequent pregnancies. It Does happen occasionally, but it's not common. Make sure to eat Lots of protein~ for some reason that helps Immensely in preventing PIH and Pre-e.

 

[heatherq17]

I passed the stress test today! I go back next week for another!

 

[Jillymac]

Yay well done Heather!
I don't know much about the stress tests - what happens if you hadn't passed, do they just keep you in a bit longer?
Jx

 

[heatherq17]

Yay well done Heather!
I don't know much about the stress tests - what happens if you hadn't passed, do they just keep you in a bit longer?
Jx

I guess it depends on the results. They would prob want a ultrasound done.

 

[PegasusOnFire]

Yay well done Heather!
I don't know much about the stress tests - what happens if you hadn't passed, do they just keep you in a bit longer?
Jx

I guess it depends on the results. They would prob want a ultrasound done.

Yep they send you for an indepth ultrasound. With DD1 the sent me for several NSTs due to her not moving, the last NST she failed horribly and we had to go to an ultrasound, where they measuered her ineternal organs to make sure they were healthy and growing normally. if she would have scored 6 or lower on that she would hve been taken that day. Between the NST (2pts) and the ultrasound (8pts) she only got 8 out of 10, 6 or lower means failed.

 

[heatherq17]

The baby passed another stress test!!!!!

 

[PegasusOnFire]

that is great news.