Non-Stress Testing: A Simple Check on Your Baby’s Well-Being

A non-stress test (NST) is a simple, comfortable test that monitors your baby’s heart rate and movement to offer reassurance about well-being. It’s used when a pregnancy benefits from closer monitoring, such as with high blood pressure, diabetes, or other reasons your specialist will explain. Nothing about it is invasive, and there’s no risk to you or your baby.

Reassurance, made simple

If your specialist has recommended a non-stress test, the name says it well. It’s non-stressful, for you and your baby, and it’s one of the gentlest tools we have for checking in on your baby’s well-being.

Why it might be recommended

We use non-stress testing as part of closer monitoring, for example with high blood pressure or diabetes in pregnancy, or for other specific reasons your specialist will explain.

What to expect

The test monitors your baby’s heart rate and movement over a short period while you rest comfortably. There’s nothing invasive about it and no risk involved, just useful information that helps your care team confirm your baby is doing well.

Part of a bigger picture

A non-stress test is one piece of the specialized care plan we build around you. Whatever it shows, you’ll have a specialist to explain it, because this is something we navigate together.