Women's Health Services | Non-Stress Test (NST)

The NST has become the most common method of antepartum screening for fetal well-being.

Non-Stress Test is non-invasive and involves monitoring of the baby’s heart rate through the use of an external monitor placed on your abdomen. Accelerations (increases) in heart rate in response to fetal movements are an excellent sign that the baby is in good health and in no immediate danger. This is referred to as a "reactive" test. Lack of these accelerations ("non-reactive" test), however, should not be interpreted as a sign that the baby is in jeopardy. Babies have sleep cycles, or mothers may be taking medications, that prevent the test from being reactive.

Prenatal Testing

Prental testing focuses on the assessment of your baby through a variety of tests.

These tests are ordered to offer reassurance that your baby is doing well even though a risk factor exists in the pregnancy. Since the risk factors themselves may vary widely in severity and type, a specific individualized program of testing will be ordered by your obstetrician and/or the Prenatal Testing Center.

In addition we provide genetic counseling, amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and percutaneous umbilical blood sampling.

First Trimester Screening
Most babies are born normal. All women, however, have a very small chance of having a baby with a chromosome problem such as Down Syndrome.

Fetal Movement Counting
Along with the tests that are performed on our unit, we commonly request that you also conduct a daily test of fetal health in your home.

Level II (Targeted) Ultrasounds
You may be referred by your obstetrician’s office to the Prenatal Testing Center for a "Level-II" or "Targeted" ultrasound exam.

Prenatal Screening for Down Syndrome
Women over age 35 have an increased risk of giving birth to babies with Down syndrome and other chromosomal conditions.

If a risk factor is discovered during your pregnancy, a specific individualized program of testing will be ordered by your obstetrician and/or the Prenatal Testing Center. Some of these tests may include:

Non-Stress Test (NST)
The NST has become the most common method of antepartum screening for fetal well-being.

Amniotic Fluid Index (AFI)
An ultrasound examination can diagnose either too little or too much amniotic fluid.

Fetal Biophysical Profile (BPP)
A biophysical profile (BPP) is a prenatal ultrasound evaluation of fetal wellbeing, involving a scoring system.

After your baby is born there are several procedures, screening and tests performed to ensure your baby’s health and safety:

Newborn Screening
The following procedures and tests are routinely done on all newborns. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your pediatrician before you deliver.