Objections to an NST?

[epiclesis]

Hi all - I've lurked around some over the past couple of years, but never jumped on the posting bandwagon.

I have a 13 month old, who I had a homebirth for, with a midwife. I didn't do any prenatal testing. No blood work, no urine tests, no ultrasounds, no glucose tests, absolutely nothing.

I have a different midwife this time, and I am 39 weeks along and planning on another homebirth. The only prenatal testing I've allowed is a blood panel, and urine tests (though I didn't actually contract with her until I was about 35 weeks along, so not a lot of time to have done anything. We REALLY aren't into prenatal care.). 

She told me at my last appointment that she'd like to do an NST at my next appointment. Of course, I've never had one before. I don't mind going through with it if I convince myself there's not really any true cons to it, but I'm also okay with objecting to it if I figure out there's no point or it's really not worth it.

I object to ultrasounds, and pretty much everything, but I do allow a doppler to be used. I've tried researching all the in's and out's of an NST and can't seem to find any "hippy site" that would tell me all of the objections to an NST. 

Can anyone help me out from the conservative side of prenatal care and offer some information on it? I'm even okay with links, I just can't seem to find any on my own.

Thanks so much! :) 

[cameragirl]

Did she say why she wanted the NST at the next appointment?

[epiclesis]

She did not. I just assumed it would be because I'd hit 40 weeks next week. 

[starrlamia]

all they do is strap an EFM on you for about half an hour to measure heartrate etc. It really is a very non evasive procedure, however at 40 weeks I wouldnt see the need for it... unless you think the due date may be late. I dont really see a reason to object.

[cameragirl]

I probably would go ahead with it, too. It is easy, and you can kick back and read a magazine or watch tv. (Depending on the room.) I would ask why she wants the test, though. I've had it done several times, and it wasn't a big deal.

[Magali]

I had one done when I was almost 42 weeks pregnant.  It was no big deal.  I would ask her why she wants to do a NST though, and then depending on what she says, go for it.  Like is she concerned about something and hasn't told you?

[Gemini529]

I had one when I was around 37 weeks or so because my blood pressure had suddenly spiked.  I pretty much just sat in a comfy chair for a half hour and relaxed with a heart monitor on me.  I didn't see it as a big deal.  I'm not sure if my OB does it routinely at 40 weeks because I didn't make it past 38 last time. Ask her what the reason is for wanting to do it and what possible benefits she sees you getting out of it.  Are you very sure of your dates?  

[kathrineg]

For mine they also did an ultrasound to measure the amount of fluid (probably because I measure small) and watched for "fetal breathing", which was pretty cool to see, but if you don't want ultrasounds you probably wouldn't want that part. 

They didn't do it at 40 weeks routinely, I was feeling much less movement than usual.

[yellowdart]

A NST uses doppler.  You'll be hooked up to it for twenty minutes to an hour and your baby will be subjected to continuous doppler during that time.  It seems like you already have information and opinions on ultrasound and doppler, so you can decide for yourself whether you want that or not.  The other thing to think about is what are you planning to do if the test indicates a problem?  Sometimes babies fail NSTs because they're actually starting to struggle, and sometimes babies fail NSTs just because they're sleepy.  If your baby fails, they will probably want to do more NSTs, and depending on the circumstances they might want a ultrasound, or they might want to induce you.  Are those things you would do?  Is the information from an NST useful to you?

[cameragirl]

It is easy to call and ask if there is something she is looking for on the NST, if she thinks your date might be off, etc. I think that might help with your decision.

[SimpleLove]

NST is just a doppler, it's not uncomfortable or invasive at all. A Biophysical Profile combines ultrasound and NST results. I think you should go along with the NST, but as others said, you might get some unsettling news. (I personally would rather know if baby was struggling)

[AbbieB]

I would go ahead and do the NST. I just can't see a negative here. Doing one at 40 weeks seems a little overly cautious though, unless there have been other issues you have not mentioned.

An ultrasound for low fluids though would give me pause if there was no indication there was a problem other than the US. Baby position can make a huge difference in the results on this test. Low fluids is not something that an ultrasound is 100% accurate on and it is often used as a reason to start an induction.

If the NST showed a problem, then I would be on board with an US check and possibly an induction.

FTR, my first baby was a 43 weeker and I did 2 NST tests that last week. She was fine. She was born at home. (But I did get dead baby calls everyday that week from the hospital where we did the NST. They really put the pressure on for me to be induced, despite there being no indication there was a problem.) I have a maternal family history of 42 and 43 week babies. I think it might be my normal.