In-Office Nonstress Test In Alpharetta And Atlanta

A Nonstress Test Atlanta Identifies Fetal Well Being

At Northside/Northpoint OB/GYN of Atlanta and Alpharetta, GA, we offer prenatal care for every stage of pregnancy so women can stay healthy from conception through delivery.

Certain conditions in your pregnancy can compromise the environment of an unborn child. In the final trimester, we often recommend a nonstress test in women whom a high-risk condition has been identified to ensure that your baby is not affected.

Some conditions in the fetus that require close monitoring can include:

• Growth restriction
• Decreased fetal movement
• Cardiac malformations
• Low amniotic fluid

To schedule an appointment, call our main office at (404) 255 3633, or if you’re an existing patient click here.

What Is A Nonstress Test?

Starting at 32 weeks, your provider may ask you to come to our office once or twice weekly for a nonstress test. Providing the nonstress test is reassuring; we will then continue in this manner until you have reached 39 weeks. At some point in your 39^th week, your provider will move towards delivery.

Maternal conditions that tend to affect the growing baby and require a nonstress test after 32 weeks can include:

• Age over 40 years at delivery
• Previous stillbirth
• Diabetes
• Identical twins
• Clotting disorders
• Hypertension
• Lupus kidney disease

If it has been recommended that you begin a nonstress test Atlanta for fetal well-being—see below for a description of those nonstress test.

To schedule an appointment, please call our main office at (404) 255 3633.

Keep Fetal Kick Counts Of Your Baby’s Movement

A healthy baby frequently moves in your uterus. You can help look out for your baby’s health by keeping a record of the number of times your baby twists, kicks, hiccups, or turns. Doing this is called Fetal Kick Counts.

We want all of our patients to know their baby’s movement patterns. And, be aware, before 28 weeks, it is normal to feel your baby move 3-4 times a day. If the baby is moving more than that, you may not feel every movement because the baby is still small.

Once you reach 28 weeks, we recommend you begin keeping track of your baby’s movements. If you think that you have felt 10-15 movements in the last 24 hours, you don’t need to take the time to keep a record. If you have not, follow the procedure that we’ve outlined below.

How Do I Record The Fetal Kick Counts?

• Lie on your side and try to concentrate on your baby’s activity.
• It is best that you have something to drink and eat before counting. Some people may decide to do this after having a meal.
• You should be able to feel at least 4 movements in 30 minutes whenever your baby moves typically. Babies can go through sleep cycles and tend to be more active at certain times of the day.
• These movement counts should be done daily until you deliver.
• Remember that the baby will get more prominent during the last month of pregnancy and may not roll or kick as forcefully as before. Usually, this because the baby is running out of room to move. Each punch or kick you feel is considered a movement. The baby’s movement frequency should not change with advancing pregnancy, but the movements’ intensity does diminish.

To schedule an appointment, please call our main office at (404) 255 3633.

Is A Nonstress Test Invasive?

The nonstress test Atlanta is painless and non-invasive. It will be performed once or twice weekly, depending on the test (i.e., maternal high blood pressure, diabetes, multiple gestations, slow fetal growth, 40 plus weeks gestation). Sometimes it is performed on a one-time-only basis in the instance of perceived decreased fetal movement.

• Before the test, you must eat some food with a moderate to high glucose content (juices, fruits) and carbohydrates (sandwiches, pancakes, peanut butter crackers, french toast, macaroni).
• Eat 30 minutes before your nonstress test Atlanta appointment or bring a snack along with you. This will hopefully help make your baby active and awake during the testing.
• It is best to leave any small children at your home as you will not be able to move about the room during your non stress test Atlanta.

Sometimes, you may need an ultrasound on the same day, depending on the non-stress test’s findings. It is possible to predict when that will happen, so please allow time in your schedule for that eventuality.

What Happens During A Nonstress Test?

A non stress test Atlanta is given to pregnant women to evaluate the heart rate of your developing baby, also known as a fetus. Typically, a developing baby’s heart rate will range from 100 to 160 beats per minute, and it generally speeds up after the baby moves. If the baby’s heart rate is faster or slower than the range above or does not speed up after the baby moves, it can mean that the baby is not doing well.

During the nonstress test:

• Elastic belts with two sensors will be placed on the woman’s belly. The sensors are then connected to an electronic monitoring machine.
  • One sensor will monitor the baby’s heart rate.
  • The second sensor is a pressure gauge, which measures the duration of tightening or contractions of the woman’s uterus if they occur.
• The woman will push a button on the machine every time she feels her baby move.
• Your baby’s heart rate is compared during movement and contractions—usually, your baby’s heart rate increases when the baby moves. But the heart rate may also not increase during your non stress test Atlanta period.
• A non stress test usually takes about 30 minutes. It can be done in a hospital or the doctor’s office.

What Is A Biophysical Profile?

This is a combination of tests that include the non stress test Atlanta and an ultrasound to evaluate your baby’s well-being and growth. There are five observations:

• Nonstress test/fetal heart rate
• Fetal movements
• Fetal tone
• Amniotic fluid volume
• Breathing movements of the baby

A non stress test Atlanta can be done in your provider’s office. And be sure to eat one to two hours before your non stress test Atlanta, as instructed in the NSNP information. Results will be known as soon as the test is completed.

To learn more about our obstetric services or schedule an appointment, please call our main office
at (404) 255 3633. You can also use our online Request an Appointment form. Our service area includes the area of Buckhead in Atlanta, Dunwoody, Roswell, Forsyth, Cumming, North Atlanta, Sandy Springs and Alpharetta in Fulton County, GA