- MEDICINE ATHENS MED4WOMAN ATHENS
- MEDICINE VOLOS MED4WOMAN VOLOS
- 2103390838
- 2421022988
Obstetrician Gynaecologist
Doctor of Medicine, University of Athens Medical School
Panagiotis Polyzos, Gynaecologist Obstetrician, is active at the Institute of Life - IVF Unit of Iaso Maternity Hospital.
Cardiotocography – NST (Non-Stress Test) is a common prenatal test used to assess the health of the fetus. During this examination, accelerations of the fetal heart rate following fetal movements are evaluated (approximately four to six fetal movements are monitored), as well as the variability of the heart rate. NST is also used to record uterine contractions.
With cardiotocography, the fetus is monitored throughout labor, and therefore, you should be aware that a similar machine will be placed next to you during childbirth.
Normally, in healthy fetuses, the heart rate accelerates or increases in response to fetal movements triggered by various stimuli. However, conditions such as fetal hypoxia — when the fetus does not receive adequate oxygen — can disrupt this response.
Your doctor or midwife may recommend cardiotocography after 28–32 weeks of pregnancy if you have:
Your doctor or midwife may also recommend that you undergo NST after 35 weeks of pregnancy, once or twice a week — and occasionally daily — depending on your health and the health of your baby.
Typically, cardiotocography lasts 20–25 minutes. However, if your baby is not active or is sleeping, the NST may need to be extended for an additional 20–25 minutes — with the expectation that your baby will become active — to ensure correct and accurate results.
After the procedure, once the NST is completed, the results are evaluated by your doctor or midwife.
Before 32 weeks of pregnancy, the results are considered normal if your baby’s heart rate accelerates to a certain level above the baseline two or more times, each lasting at least 10 seconds, within a 20-minute recording.
After 32 weeks of pregnancy, the results are considered normal if your baby’s heart rate accelerates to a certain level above the baseline two or more times, each lasting at least 15 seconds, within a 20-minute recording.
Sometimes, during a cardiotocography examination, abnormalities in the fetal heart rate may be detected, requiring further monitoring or treatment.
Possible causes of an abnormal (non-reassuring) result — apart from the fetus possibly being asleep — include reduced oxygen supply to the fetus (fetal hypoxia), maternal smoking, systemic use of certain medications by the mother, as well as underlying neurological or cardiac abnormalities in the fetus.
A biophysical profile combines the NST with a detailed fetal ultrasound that evaluates your baby’s breathing movements, gross body movements, muscle tone, and the amount of amniotic fluid. Additionally, Doppler assessment (PI) is performed to evaluate blood flow in both uterine arteries, the middle cerebral artery, and the umbilical cord.
