After you report your baby’s decreased activity, your doctor should have you come to the office or go directly to your hospital’s labor and delivery unit. There are other tests that can be done to check on your baby’s health:

• Non-stress test: monitoring your baby’s heart rate in response to its own movements
• Ultrasound: taking pictures from sound waves to check the growth of the baby, amniotic fluid quantity, placenta, blood flow pattern, etc.
• Biophysical profile: using an ultrasound exam with a non-stress test to evaluate your baby’s heart rate, breathing, body movement, muscle tone and amniotic fluid quantity
• Contraction stress test: monitoring your baby’s heart rate in response to uterine contractions

Never hesitate to get a second opinion if you feel you are not getting a thorough evaluation or you continue to be worried.

Last Updated: Oct 5, 2010