Postdate NST's & US's?

[NDFanatik]

What can anyone tell me about the false positive rate on them? About how effective they are?

I'm due in 5 days (expecting to go "overdue"). My OB has been really great about respecting my wishes on everything and I want to go in today (my last appt before I'm due on Tues) and discuss what I want to do or not do as far as interventions and whatnot. I'm going to tell him to not even think about stripping me until I reach 42 weeks (a very big maybe at 41 weeks) and he already knows induction (unless medically necessary) is a huge no for me. But as far as NST's and US's I'm a little eh. I'm leaning more towards no on them, but I want to gather some more info before I set anything in stone.

Anyways, if anyone can give me any good links or information on postdate NST's and US's I'd really appreciate it! Thanks!!

[lifeguard]

The US's I'm not sure of.

But I've been getting NST's for a few weeks now. There is not much to error on with these. They will hook you up to a fetal monitor - two straps - one around the top of your belly that is reading for contractions & one around wherever they can get the heartbeat (my guy is head down so it's always on my lower belly) that tracks the heartrate. They give you a little button to press every time the baby moves. Basically it tracks the heartrate. When the baby moves the heartrate should go up a little bit & then return to it's normal rate. I've never had a contraction during an NST so I'm not 100% certain how that is supposed to factor into things. It's actually kind of neat 'cause you listen to the heartbeat & can actually hear the little speed up with each movement.

If the heartrate is not responsive to the baby's movements then they may become concerned & the next step would be a stress test - which is basically the same but they induce some contractions for the duration of the test so they can see how the baby responds to that.

[OrchideZ]

I have started doing NST/AFI tests this past week due to my potential cholestasis diagnosis (still waiting on bloodwork).
It doesn't have an error rate as far as I can see. Just is inconvenient when/if baby is sleeping and they don't get the movements they want to see. It made for us having to stay much longer the last session.
I do see the importance of it all though.
They tracked his heart rate (no button for me to push like lifeguard had), wanted to see a rise of his h/r at least a set number of times and they were also tracking my contrax which I had a series of (kinda cool to see).
Then, we did u/s to check the AFI which was good and to see baby perform different movements like flexion, breathing, limbs moving, heart.
I am nervous now with being so close to delivering and potentially having a condition that could harm him so these are good and working for me even though they are a PITA. I do like seeing him move and doing ok...gives me comfort.
We go back tomorrow for more (unless I go into labor...).

ps- I am not post-date but if I were, the u/s would be even more important to me for measuring the AFI levels. There is no error rate I can see in this and can save your baby.

[kohlby]

I had NST which included an ultrasound every three days when pg with DS. However, the placenta had started to calcify at only 37 weeks. Having the NST and ultrasounds allowed me to confidently wait until 42 weeks for an induction. My daughter was born at 41 weeks and was an attempted VBAC. I never had a NST with her - though I did have an ultrasound at 40 weeks.

[JBaxter]

I had a biophysical profile on tuesday and actully Ive been having them weekly for the past month.
What they have checked for on mine was cord blood flow ,heart rate, practice breathing, fluid levels ( over 5 under 20) they measure head size, chest size and leg lenth and get a size/weight on the baby. They also check the major organs again like in the 20 wk u/s. They checked/waited for movement. They score it 8/8 being a perfert score. Baby Jack has been scoring 8/8 so I get ... see you next week The only thing we have been closely watching is his weight He has consistly gained 8-10oz per week they printed me off a graph from the machine I know u/s can be off but he is looking like a 9lb13oz as of Tuesday. They may be off but Im betting not by much. He is a very long baby and the u/s tech commented on how big his feet were LOL ( my 16yr old wears a 12 and my 13 yr old is in a 9 1/2 mans) I said yes I grow big boys with big feet and heads.

They havent used the u/s to scare me ( ok except for the one butt head OB I now refuse to see but thats another story) Im glad to see everything is looking good and I go in on Monday if he isnt born first and Im getting TONS of pressure right now

[mkmb129]

I had several with ds, and had one with this one on Tuesday because of decreased movements. They look for a base line with the heartbeat, then how it reacts when baby moves (little button you press when you feel baby move) & I think how it reacts during a contraction if you have any. I will get one again on Monday (40wks 3d). Not sure about post date u/s, never had one with Colin, just two NSTs. I have no problem with the NST's, but don't see the need for u/s though unless maybe something isn't right on the NST and they want to do a BPP.

[mamanurse]

I, too, have been having NSTs and have had 2 scans recently. The NSTs are fairly foolproof. I, personally, would induce or have surgery for a non-reassuring NST (with decels or invariability with movement) or a low BPP score. The BPP is not as accurate as the NST. The low amniotic fluid "diagnosis" and large birthweight are the most inaccurate in the BPP. I wouldn't let low amniotic fluid or "big baby" solely influence my decision, but a crappy NST certainly would.

My OB has been doing weekly NSTs since 36 weeks d/t my lupus, DVTs, and my own peace of mind. They've all looked good. The BPPs have been done because of the DVTs in my legs. They're mostly checking for cord flow and placental function, but check it all as long as I'm being scanned. I'm 39 weeks today

[NDFanatik]

Thanks for the replies ladies!! I was afraid that they had a high false positive rate and didn't want to put myself in the position to get an unnecessary induction or repeat c-section, ya know? My OB told me that he wouldn't want any NST's or US's until I hit 41 weeks and then every 5 days after that. So I'm hoping I pop before then. He expects m eto go overdue since I did with my son, so we'll see!! Hopefully I don't have to deal with it

[AmamaAgain]

Two weeks ago I had a NST and it showed a lack of proper response and heartrate issues. Even though less than an hour after that I was getting a C-section to get out our son, I'm glad that his safety was no longer in jeopardy.