A contraction stress test is a simple non-invasive test that is designed to evaluate the well-being of the baby and how well it will tolerate contractions and labor.
Contractions squeeze the placenta and will affect the baby's supply of oxygen. By carefully monitoring both the contractions and the fetal response your doctor will be able to gauge fetal well-being and its ability to handle labor.
The test begins by preparing the abdomen. The operator will then attach a fetal heart monitor. If contractions are already present they will be observed and the fetal heart monitored for any decrease in heart rate following the contraction. If necessary contractions may be initiated by asking the mother to stimulate her nipples triggering a release of oxytocinOxytocin is a pregnancy hormone that both stimulates breast milk production and stimulates uterine contractions. Synthetic oxytocins have been created to induce labor.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions.; the hormoneA complex chemical substance created in a part or organ of the body. When released it initiates or regulates activity in an organ or group of cells in another part of the body.
Hormones secreted by endocrine glands are transported through the bloodstream to their target organ. The amount of hormone secreted is regulated either by other hormones, by neurotransmitters, or simply when an excess of the organ's activity indicates a need to reduce the amount of the hormone produced.
Other hormones are produced locally by the organs themselves and are common in the digestive tract.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. responsible for controlling uterine contractions. If the response is not sufficiently strong, then synthetic oxytocin will be administered in small quantities to induce a contraction.
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The contraction stress test is reserved for pregnancies in which a preexisting condition such as diabetes, or a prior stillbirth may indicate that a fetus will not survive labor. Your doctor is concerned about your baby's well-being and may request that you be tested once or twice weekly.
While there are no known risks as a direct result of the contraction stress test, there are categories in which substitution of a nonstress test or biophysical profile is recommended. Advise your doctor if you are experiencing any of the following:
Certain preexisting conditions or fetal development problems will indicate to your doctor that contraction stress testing during the last few weeks of pregnancy is advised. The test can be performed any time during the third trimester although it is most likely to be performed from week thirty four to delivery.
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When the results of a contraction stress are normal it is recorded as 'negative'. Similarly a 'positive' result indicates a problem. The test operator is looking for the baby's response to the uterine contractions. If there are no decelerations of the fetal heart rate, following a contraction then the baby is healthy. Sometimes the operator may notice some deceleration but not enough to mark as a positive test result. This is considered a suspicious result and the test will be repeated within twenty four hours. A positive result occurs when there are repeated abnormal decelerations of the fetal heart following a uterine contraction. Some people believe that the results derived from a contraction stress test are more accurate than other tests to evaluate fetal well-being.
Sometimes the nature of the contractions themselves will make it difficult to record the response of the fetal heart. If there are too few contractions or the fetal heart rate is weak the test will need to be repeated. Alternatively the contractions may be too frequent and make it hard to correctly read the fetal heart rate. Hyperstimulated contractions also require retesting.
How your doctor will respond to the results of the contraction stress test will depend on the preexisting condition that prompted the test initially. If a positive result is recorded your doctor may feel that an induced labor should be attempted. If the results are particular cause for concern, then delivery by cesarean section may be recommended to minimize fetal distress.
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