Non-stress Tests

[thinkchocolate05]

I hope it's okay to create a thread for this. I just had my first weekly non-stress test for chronic high blood pressure, and it was soooo stressful which I didn't anticipate at all. They put the monitor bands around my belly and had me lie (uncomfortably) on my side. She said they were looking for two accelerations of ten (I think) beats for 15 second duration. I was monitored for 30 minutes and felt him kicking plenty but the heart rate didn't accelerate like they wanted (non-reactive). I was extremely worried but the nurse wasn't worried at all and said they would just do an ultrasound to check blood flow and fluid levels. I was only in the ultrasound for 10 minutes and the tech said everything looked great and didn't even call the doctor in. They said to come back for the regularly scheduled non-stress test next week. I said I was really worried about the non reactive test and they said not to worry. So I went into the bathroom and cried for awhile. I think I'm overreacting but I'm just so worried because he didn't pass and now I will be particularly paranoid about movement. Has anyone else had experience with this? I only ate a light breakfast before, so I'll try orange juice next time.

[thinkchocolate05]

Sorry. That was long and I forgot paragraphs!

[jt2378]

thinkchocolate05, I don't have any experience but just want to say I'm so sorry for the stress and worry. I know its hard to rationalize when they tell you everything is okay and you can't help but worry. If the nurse and ultrasound tech said not to be concerned, then I would try and take that advice, easier said than done I know. Can you ask to speak with your dr if that would help alleviate the concern? Big hugs

[thinkchocolate05]

Jun 28, 2017 9:09:24 GMT -6 jt2378 said:

thinkchocolate05, I don't have any experience but just want to say I'm so sorry for the stress and worry. I know its hard to rationalize when they tell you everything is okay and you can't help but worry. If the nurse and ultrasound tech said not to be concerned, then I would try and take that advice, easier said than done I know. Can you ask to speak with your dr if that would help alleviate the concern? Big hugs

Thanks for the encouragement:) The nsts are done through a specialist, so I tend to give them more credence than my normal obgyn. The nurse even told me before the test not to worry if he wasn't reactive and that they'd just do the ultrasound. I can feel him moving right now, so I think I need to just try to dismiss the anxiety.

[muscari]

Just wanted to pile on some hugs. I only had a NST once myself, after I fell and broke my ankle and started having contractions. I don't think they explained very well what they wanted to see or maybe it just didn't get through to me until after I read some more about it once back home. Baby did show accelerations etc and the only thing they were slightly concerned about was the fact I had so many contractions. So I really don't have any advice or anything.. But I think that if your nurse and specialist weren't worried, and things looked all fine on the U/S, you feel him moving just normally.. it should be okay to try and let go of the anxiety. I know it is definitely easier said then done so *hugs*! And you have your appointment coming up on Monday which isn't too far away. If you for some reason do continue to feel worried or anxious you can always give them another call?

[elliecat17]

thinkchocolate05 Ignore my question to you on the PGAL check in. Take something in with you that is sweet and/or cold and drink it while you are attached to the monitor. I'm sorry you were so stressed! In OB they call non-reactive a yellow light, it means do another check (normally U/S) but that chances are baby is A-Okay and just not cooperating. As long as there was change int he heart rate and no decels then you and baby are alright. However it sucks that they didn't give you more info! (HUGS)

[thinkchocolate05]

Jun 29, 2017 5:43:06 GMT -6 elliecat17 said:

thinkchocolate05 Ignore my question to you on the PGAL check in. Take something in with you that is sweet and/or cold and drink it while you are attached to the monitor. I'm sorry you were so stressed! In OB they call non-reactive a yellow light, it means do another check (normally U/S) but that chances are baby is A-Okay and just not cooperating. As long as there was change int he heart rate and no decels then you and baby are alright. However it sucks that they didn't give you more info! (HUGS)

Thanks, that makes me feel better. The nurse circled some little upward peaks in the graph but didn't say what they were, but I didn't see any dips below the baseline. Next time I'll make myself ask, but I was upset and didn't want to just start crying. Baby then kicked me the rest of the day--the test was his most quiet time. Grrr.

[elliecat17]

Jun 29, 2017 13:12:20 GMT -6 thinkchocolate05 said:

Jun 29, 2017 5:43:06 GMT -6 elliecat17 said:

thinkchocolate05 Ignore my question to you on the PGAL check in. Take something in with you that is sweet and/or cold and drink it while you are attached to the monitor. I'm sorry you were so stressed! In OB they call non-reactive a yellow light, it means do another check (normally U/S) but that chances are baby is A-Okay and just not cooperating. As long as there was change int he heart rate and no decels then you and baby are alright. However it sucks that they didn't give you more info! (HUGS)

Thanks, that makes me feel better. The nurse circled some little upward peaks in the graph but didn't say what they were, but I didn't see any dips below the baseline. Next time I'll make myself ask, but I was upset and didn't want to just start crying. Baby then kicked me the rest of the day--the test was his most quiet time. Grrr.

The upward peaks are normally the accelerations. So that's awesome!

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[muscari]

Little did I know I'd have a non-reactive and dipping down/decelling baby on a NST myself just a day after you posted this! I'm glad elliecat17 was able to provide some info your nurses/tech didn't and I hope you're feeling not so stressed out about things no more. When is your next NST? *hugs*

[danascullyx]

So, I'm totally lurking, and I don't want to freak anyone out, but I think you should be prepared next time for anything to happen. I hope you are not at all similar to me, but I went in for my first nst, and baby's heart rate was too steady, so they made me come back even though the ultrasound looked okay. When I came back, same thing, so I was admitted for "observation." I had an emergency c section the next day st 35+2.

[thinkchocolate05]

Jun 29, 2017 23:56:20 GMT -6 muscari said:

Little did I know I'd have a non-reactive and dipping down/decelling baby on a NST myself just a day after you posted this! I'm glad elliecat17 was able to provide some info your nurses/tech didn't and I hope you're feeling not so stressed out about things no more. When is your next NST? *hugs*

muscari So sorry you had to go through that, and yours sounded so much longer, scarier, and later at night than mine! Here's to hoping your baby girl has a really active kicking day today. My next NST is on Wednesday. I'm a little bummed bc they are always same day same time, so if he was in a sleep cycle I'm worried it might repeat, but I'll just take it as it comes.

[thinkchocolate05]

Jun 30, 2017 0:10:39 GMT -6 danascullyx said:

So, I'm totally lurking, and I don't want to freak anyone out, but I think you should be prepared next time for anything to happen. I hope you are not at all similar to me, but I went in for my first nst, and baby's heart rate was too steady, so they made me come back even though the ultrasound looked okay. When I came back, same thing, so I was admitted for "observation." I had an emergency c section the next day st 35+2.

Eek! Whatever it takes to keep baby safe but I'm only 32 weeks so hopefully that is not the case for me. I'm hoping mine was just in a sleep cycle bc he's been so active since then and was really active the day before.