Fetal Monitoring NST Machine

A nonstress test (NST or fetal nonstress test) is a pregnancy screening that measures fetal heart rate and reaction to movement. Your pregnancy care provider performs a nonstress test to make sure the fetus is healthy and getting enough oxygen. It’s safe and painless, and gets its name because it puts no stress (nonstress) on you or the fetus.

During an NST, your provider is watching for the fetus’ heart rate as it moves. Just as your heart rate increases when you run, its heart rate should increase when it moves or kicks.

If the fetus’ heart rate doesn’t react to movement or it isn’t moving at all, it doesn’t mean something is wrong. It could mean the fetus doesn’t have enough oxygen, but this isn’t always the case. Your pregnancy care provider uses the results of a nonstress test to decide if they need to order additional testing or if inducing labor is necessary.