Contraction Stress testContraction

Contraction Stress test

Contraction stress test is performed to check if your baby is okay with the reduced oxygen levels that occur during contractions at the time of the labor. External fetal heart monitoring (nonstress test) is a part of the test. During or after 34th week of pregnancy, contraction stress is performed. When there is contraction of the uterus, the oxygen and blood supply to baby stops for a while. It is not a problematic case for most of the babies. In some cases the heart rate of the baby becomes slower. In contraction stress test, biophysical profile uses ultrasound during the nonstress test. In this way physical characteristics of your baby are measured. This test is done only if you have abnormal biophysical profile. Fetal breathing, fetal muscle tone, fetal movements, and amniotic fluid volumes are counted. Contraction test gives comparatively better picture of your baby's health than nonstress test. You may perform more than one contraction test during your pregnancy.
Need To check the health of your placenta and if it is able to support your baby, contraction stress is performed. If the results of nonstress test and biophysical profile are abnormal, then contraction stress test is performed.
Need
Procedure You should not eat or drink before 4-8 hours the test. Empty your bladder before the test. It is advised not to smoke at least two hours before performing the test. You have to sleep on the bed with your back raised and tilting slightly towards left side. In this way, there will be no pressure on the blood vessels in your belly. Two belts having sensors will be placed around your belly. One belt will be for recording the heart rate of your baby and other will keep record of the your uterine contractions. With heart rate sensors, gel will be used on your skin. These sensors are hooked to recording unit. If your baby changes position, heart rate monitor may be moved. Your contractions and heart rates of your baby will be recorded for ten minutes. Some vital signs and your blood pressure will be recorded. Hormone oxytocine will be given to you in a low dose so as to have three contractions within ten minutes. This contraction should last longer than 45 seconds. Sometimes, you may be asked to massage your one of the nipples to start contractions. The test may require around two hours.
Procedure
Result Normal test results are called as negative test results. Heart rate of your baby does not decrease after labor. The prediction about the health of your baby for a week will be given in the test. Abnormal test results are known as positive test results. If your baby has a lower heart rate even after the contraction, then it will be considered that your baby may have some problem during the normal labor. If delivery is delayed, your baby may have some problems. In a condition of hyper- stimulation, contraction more than 90 seconds are observed.
Result
Consideration Sometimes healthy baby is shows problematic features during this test. Due to oxytocine you may have early labor pains than your due date. If you have prolonged contractions, it may cause problems to your baby. In rare case if your contractions do not stop, then the medicine is prescribed to stop the contractions. Rarely, cesarean is recommended.
Consideration