| Contraction stress test | |
|---|---|
| Purpose | fetal test(heart rate) |
A contraction stress test (CST) is performed near the end of pregnancy (34 weeks' gestation) to determine how well the fetus will cope with the contractions of childbirth. The aim is to induce contractions and monitor the fetus to check for heart rate abnormalities using a cardiotocograph. A CST is one type of antenatal fetal surveillance technique.
During uterine contractions, fetal oxygenation is worsened. Late decelerations in fetal heart rate occurring during uterine contractions are associated with increased fetal death rate, growth retardation and neonatal depression.[1][2] This test assesses fetal heart rate in response to uterine contractions via electronic fetal monitoring. Uterine activity is monitored by tocodynamometer.[3]
- ^ Ronald S. Gibbs; et al., eds. (2008). Danforth's obstetrics and gynecology (10th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 161. ISBN 9780781769372.
- ^ Alan H. DeCherney; T. Murphy Goodwin; et al., eds. (2007). Current diagnosis & treatment : Obstetrics & gynecology (10th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. pp. 255. ISBN 978-0-07-143900-8.
- ^ III, Frances Talaska Fischbach, Marshall Barnett Dunning (2009). A manual of laboratory and diagnostic tests (8th ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 1030–31. ISBN 9780781771948.
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