Antenatal Testing
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Antenatal testing at UCSF Health
Antenatal testing, also called prenatal testing, assesses your health and the health of your developing baby. The test results help your provider monitor your baby's well-being and may guide your prenatal care.
Your provider may recommend certain tests if you have:
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Overdue pregnancy
Advanced maternal age (35 or older)
Most patients repeat the tests once or twice a week. The tests are noninvasive, safe and comfortable.
Antenatal testing services
Our specially trained registered nurses perform antenatal tests using a fetal monitor and an ultrasound. We provide nonstress tests (NSTs) and amniotic fluid index (AFI) assessments.
If your provider needs more information, we perform a biophysical profile (BPP).
Nonstress test (NST)
We assess your baby's well-being by observing their heart rate in response to movement. During the test, we strap two small monitors to the outside of your belly. The monitors record contractions and your baby's heart rate.
Your nurse explains the test before you start and answers questions you may have.
Amniotic fluid index (AFI)
We use an ultrasound machine to look at your uterus and determine if there is enough amniotic fluid surrounding your baby. Too much or too little fluid can be a sign that your baby may need special care.
During the tests, you can see your baby on the ultrasound screen. Your nurse reviews the test results with you.
Biophysical profile (BPP)Your provider may request a BPP if they need more information. The BPP combines an NST and AFI into a five-part test that uses the fetal monitor and ultrasound to evaluate:
Amniotic fluid volume
Body movements
Breathing movements
Heart rate response to movement
Muscle tone
After the BPP, your nurse scores the test and explains the results to you. You will discuss whether additional testing or evaluation is needed.
Antenatal testing at UCSF Health
Antenatal testing, also called prenatal testing, assesses your health and the health of your developing baby. The test results help your provider monitor your baby's well-being and may guide your prenatal care.
Your provider may recommend certain tests if you have:
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Overdue pregnancy
Advanced maternal age (35 or older)
Most patients repeat the tests once or twice a week. The tests are noninvasive, safe and comfortable.
Antenatal testing services
Our specially trained registered nurses perform antenatal tests using a fetal monitor and an ultrasound. We provide nonstress tests (NSTs) and amniotic fluid index (AFI) assessments.
If your provider needs more information, we perform a biophysical profile (BPP).
Nonstress test (NST)
We assess your baby's well-being by observing their heart rate in response to movement. During the test, we strap two small monitors to the outside of your belly. The monitors record contractions and your baby's heart rate.
Your nurse explains the test before you start and answers questions you may have.
Amniotic fluid index (AFI)
We use an ultrasound machine to look at your uterus and determine if there is enough amniotic fluid surrounding your baby. Too much or too little fluid can be a sign that your baby may need special care.
During the tests, you can see your baby on the ultrasound screen. Your nurse reviews the test results with you.
Biophysical profile (BPP)Your provider may request a BPP if they need more information. The BPP combines an NST and AFI into a five-part test that uses the fetal monitor and ultrasound to evaluate:
Amniotic fluid volume
Body movements
Breathing movements
Heart rate response to movement
Muscle tone
After the BPP, your nurse scores the test and explains the results to you. You will discuss whether additional testing or evaluation is needed.
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Rated high-performing for maternity care – uncomplicated pregnancy by U.S. News & World Report
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Related services
Related conditions & treatments
Conditions
- Advanced Maternal Age
- Diabetes Mellitus
- High-Risk Pregnancy
- Pregnancy
Treatments
- Biophysical Profile Testing
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