Nonstress Testing

The Challenge

Fetal health may be assessed using the nonstress test (NST). This test is the simplest of the antenatal tests to perform and often represents the first line in managing an at-risk pregnancy.

• Scope of the Problem: Of pregnancies, 3%–12% are at a risk because of gestations that extend beyond term. More pregnancies may be compromised by maternal disease states that affect fetal health or placental function (eg, hypertension, diabetes), resulting in abnormalities of fetal growth or amniotic fluid volume and other problems.

• Objectives of the Test: To assess fetal health and reserve.