WWYD: NST and going againist doc orders

[piaffe]

So originally the hospital and I thought the doctor ordered NST for every other week. I was even fighting that but today the midwife told me I was suppose to be having them twice a week. I'm only 34 weeks that's 14 more NST if I go to my due date. I really really don't feel they are necessary as I can feel him move multiple times a day can check his heart rate on my Doppler here at home. My bp has been the best its ever been. My doctor is out probably til after I deliver so now I'm just seeing anyone in the practice. My next appt isn't scheduled til the 27th when I'll get another ultrasound and meet with a different doctor yet again. I really really just don't want to get all these extra NST WWYD

[Deleted]

Why are they having you do so many? What started it? In my two full term pregnancies, I never was ordered to do even one.

[sporklemotion]

Are you high risk? Have they explained why? I had weekly testing from 36 on and would have had 2 per week in my last week had I not gone into labor. I was AMA, though, and the risk of the placenta failing was high. Even then, it was only the last week.
Honestly, if it were me, I would go along with it but ask for the reason-- call and see if you can talk to someone in the practice, since you're not scheduled for an appointment for a while. It's an annoying, time consuming test, but not an invasive one, and the ability to catch an issue early is huge. Maybe mention the at-home Doppler and see if that changes the equation, and see if you can get a predictable time for appointments so that it disrupts work as little as possible (if this is an issue-- it would be for me).
Good luck!

[piaffe]

I had high blood pressure before getting pregnant managed by medicine since I was diagnosed. Switched to a pregnancy safe med and have had great Blood pressure readings better than ever before. That's their only reasoning. I had my first NST on the 26th of Nov and apparently was suppose to have two a week from that point on but hospital said every other. Today the Midwife said no I was suppose to go twice a week and I really need to do it. I said even though my BP has never been better, I can feel him move all through out the day starting at 6am til 10pm. I mentioned I had a doppler and she said well they measure how well he's doing in that time window. Still doesn't make sense to me and I know they are covering their own butts. I know the procedure is easy but one it's expensive we have to meet our deductible first which will likely happen right at the end of the year to start over again in Jan. Yes his health is more important than money but I think this is overkill.

Sorry for any grammar issues.

[Stingyshark]

I have no advice, or anecdotes... but man, that stinks. I hope you can find a resolution, or peace with the fact that you just have to go twice a week.

[BaliHai]

I was in the exact same situation, but I have no advice, because my OB only had to throw out the term "stillbirth" once and that made my decision for me (she was explaining how the near-constant monitoring greatly reduces that risk). In retrospect that felt like a scare tactic, so I hope you will get a better answer/explanation from your doctor.

ETA: I will say, though, that I know my OB treated hypertension during pregnancy as though it was an ongoing issue even if the medicine was controlling it, so that could have definitely been their main reason for the extra precaution.

[eav2c]

Hm. Why do they have you doing them so often? I am high risk and have to have NST and BPP's every 48 hours until 37 weeks when I deliver. It's a hassle especially with a toddler. My thing with NST's and BPP's are that they only are a snapshot of how your baby is doing then. It doesn't tell you how baby will be in 3 hours or the next day. So, IMO, while I think they are important and necessary I take them with a grain of salt and try to keep actively monitoring my LO. I would personally follow your doctor's orders though. I've been in your spot with two pregnancies now. It's worth the trouble.

[kershnic]

That seems like overkill, but I'd be inclined to just go with it if they continue to defend it when you question. I feel this is a situation of better safe than sorry. I've ever been told that for my twin pregnancy I'll be seen twice a week from 34w on. Don't know if those will be NST or what.

Good luck.

[sunshineluv]

It sounds to me like you need a better understanding of why the doctor wants you to have so much monitoring. It would take a lot for me to go against doctors orders for something like monitoring. I like to think they know so much more than me with their medical school and real life experience. But I am also a proponent of good communication and understanding why you are doing something.

[shelbyann]

I think I'd be concerned that your MW office seems to have different info than the doctor? (Twice a week vs every other week.) That's a big difference in terms of the time and money commitment, so I'd first make sure their info was correct. Then, if they did want to do twice a week now, I'd want to know what changed that indicated that was necessary, or what they hoped to learn from it, beyond just "we want to see how the baby's doing."

Sorry you're dealing with this.

[dbsk8dance]

From a did board but I saw this on the so and wanted to respond.

I had them w/ #2 starting at 34 weeks as well. I had hypertension controlled with meds before and throughout as well. I had pre e with #1 and also IUGR.

Yes, it was annoying, but really, I'm glad I did them. It is a chance to monitor both you and baby. Most of the time I was in and out in a few minutes, but a few times my BP was elevated and she wasn't moving.

[osulori]

I would have either the MW or OB or both sit down with you and fully explain the reasoning behind having so many NSTs. I know its a pain in the butt, but if they really think its necessary I'd do it.

[piaffe]

Sorry if I was unclear, doctor ordered twice a week starting at 32 weeks but the hosptial and I both thought she wrote it for every other week. The midwife confirmed I'm suppose to be going twice a week until I deliver. My bp has been low for me the entire pregnancy no issue with feeling him move believe me my boob moves when he kicks a certain spot.
I think I'll call and get another appt with another doc I trust there and see what she says.

[ilikedonuts]

It just doesn't tell you if he's moving. It looks at things like how his heart rate jumps and dips when he moves. You cannot tell that with a home doppler.