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A nonstress test is a noninvasive test that poses no physical risks for you or your baby.

While a nonstress test can offer reassurance about your baby's health, it can cause anxiety. A nonstress test also might not detect an existing problem or might suggest that a problem exists when there is none.

Also, keep in mind that while a nonstress test is often recommended for women who have an increased risk of pregnancy loss, it's not always clear if the test is helpful.

A nonstress test typically requires no special preparation.

A nonstress test is usually done in your health care provider's office.

During the procedure

During the nonstress test, you'll lie on a reclining bed. You'll likely have your blood pressure taken before the test and at regular intervals during the test.

Your health care provider or a member of your health care team will then place two belts with monitors attached to them across your abdomen. One belt will record your baby's heart rate, and the other will record any uterine contractions you might have. You'll likely be asked to press a button when your baby moves. Your baby's movements will then be noted on the fetal heart record. Your health care provider will be looking to see if your baby's heart beats faster when he or she moves.

Typically, a nonstress test lasts 20 minutes. However, if your baby is asleep, you might need to extend the test for another 20 minutes — with the expectation that your baby will awaken — to ensure accurate results. In some cases, your health care provider might try to awaken the baby by making a loud noise or asking you to drink a glass of juice.

After the procedure

After the nonstress test is complete, your health care provider will likely discuss the results with you right away.

Results of a nonstress test are considered:

• Reactive. Before week 32 of pregnancy, results are considered normal (reactive) if your baby's heartbeat accelerates to a certain level twice or more for at least 10 seconds each within a 20-minute window. At week 32 of pregnancy or later, if your baby's heartbeat accelerates to a certain level twice or more for at least 15 seconds each within a 20-minute window, the results are considered reactive.
• Nonreactive. If your baby's heartbeat doesn't meet the criteria described above, the results are considered nonreactive. Keep in mind that nonreactive results might occur because your baby was asleep during the test.

If your baby's nonstress test results are nonreactive, your health care provider will likely do another prenatal test to further check your baby's health. For example:

• Biophysical profile. A biophysical profile combines a nonstress test with ultrasound tests that evaluate your baby's breathing, movements, muscle tone and amniotic fluid level.
• Contraction stress test. This test looks at how your baby's heart rate reacts when your uterus contracts.

Your health care provider might also ask you to have another nonstress test later in the day. Keep in mind that a reactive result is far more likely to be correct than is a nonreactive result. If you have a nonreactive nonstress test and a second nonstress test that's reactive, the second test's results are considered reliable.

Rarely, during a nonstress test, problems with a baby's heart rate are detected that require further monitoring or treatment.

Be sure to discuss the results of your nonstress test with your health care provider and what they might mean for you and your baby.