Antepartum Fetal Surveillance

Three convenient locations

We offer antepartum fetal surveillance at units in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Newport News which are strategically located in close proximity to Labor and Delivery units. A wide range of services to monitor a baby's well being before it is time to deliver are provided. The antenatal fetal testing units are staffed by experienced Perinatal RNs with extensive fetal testing experience.

Several conditions place a pregnancy at higher risk for complications and may benefit from antenatal fetal surveillance prior to delivery. Testing is usually initiated at some time after 28 weeks.Services provided include:

• Non-stress tests that monitor the baby's heart rate using a harmless device that emits sound waves.
• Ultrasound assessment of the amniotic fluid volume.
• Ultrasound biophysical profile assessments to evaluate the baby's movement, tone and breathing exercises while still in utero.
• Contraction stress tests that assess if the placenta is functioning adequately to provide the baby with good oxygen supply.
• Doppler flow studies to assess the blood flow in the baby's blood vessels as well as in the maternal uterine arteries when clinically indicated.
• Amniocentesis procedure to assess fetal lung maturity prior to elective delivery when indicated.

Reasons for testing include but are not limited to:

• Decreased fetal movement
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Intrauterine growth restriction ("IUGR") [baby not growing as well as it should]
• Low amniotic fluid volume
• Two or more babies in the same uterus (e.g., twins, triplets, etc.)