NSTs twice a week???

[Nemesia]

I'm 37+1 today. I have gestational diabetes and am 39 years old. My OB previously thought I would have to be induced because she thought my blood pressure might be an issue and/or the baby would be too big with the GD. My BP has stayed low and today's ultrasound estimated baby's weight to be 7 lbs. My OB said at this point she doesn't see a reason that we would need to induce (she is aware that I really want to try for a birth with minimal interventions), but she would like me to have NSTs twice a week from here on out, instead of just once a week.

Has anyone else had to do this? It seems a bit excessive to me, but if it keeps me from being induced I will cooperate. FWIW, I've been having weekly NSTs for the past 6 weeks and they've all looked great.

[TwoBees]

Haven't BTDT, but apparently I will eventually. At my last appointment, the OB told me that I would have having them twice weekly starting at, I think she said, 32 weeks! :47: I guess I had better clear my schedule when I get closer.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Placenta can break down faster w GD, right? If so, keeping tabs on that makes sense. I'm all for a non invasive test that keeps baby cooking. :)

Eta- I had twice/ week in my 41st week since post date.

[momtoonegirl]

I had twice weekly NST's with my DS for advanced maternal age. I was 39 years old, and my pregnancy was otherwise uncomplicated. My OB recommended twice weekly NST's for all of her AMA patients as a routine. The NST's all looked great until about 38 weeks, the amniotic fluid level started to decrease. I rested and increased my fluid intake, and the levels went up. I had an uncomplicated delivery at 39weeks 4days.

ETA-The twice weekly NST's began once I was 36 weeks.

[PZMommy]

I had NSTs every 3 days from 33 weeks on with my last pregnancy due to my BP issues and my son's restricted growth issues. I ended up being delivered at 36 weeks.

[petesgirl]

I had them 2x a week with DS due to intrauterine growth restriction. I think that started at around 36 weeks and I was induced at 38 weeks. My only problem is that my insurance doesn't cover them so that was kind of a pain. Hope it all works out for you!

[speo]

I also had them 2x/week starting at 34 weeks for DS1. This was because he was growth restricted. They became nervous about my fluid levels along the way and eventually they went low enough for induction at 39 weeks. I was sent right over to the hospital (across the street) following the last nst. Things can change in a few days!

[Nemesia]

Thanks, everyone! I guess it's not as uncommon as I thought.

[georgiegirl]

I'm 39 and just a few days ahead of you (37+4). I don't have any complications or risk factors other than being AMA, and I was told I wouldn't need a NST until I had hit 40 weeks.

[sidmand]

Yep. I have Type 2 diabetes and had them 2x/week from I think 36 weeks on with DS. With DD I was diabetic AND AMA and same deal.

[TxCat]

Not that unusual for a diabetes history. As another poster mentioned, things can change very quickly.

I'm 37+3 today and have been getting twice weekly NSTs since 33 weeks for elevated AFP levels of unknown etiology. It is sort of a pain, but at this point I'd rather have the extra monitoring and peace of mind than not. This week I'm going to have 3 appointments instead my normal two! Lucky, lucky.

[mommylamb]

I had GD too, but I only went in once a week for NSTs at the end. I did end up getting induced. My doctors didn't want me to go past my due date because of the GD, even though I had no other problems and controlled my blood sugar well. So, he was born on his due date (DS2).