Who Gets the Test?
Some women who have complications during their pregnancy need a CST, although the test is much less common than it once was. More often, you would get a nonstress test or a biophysical profile. If those results indicate a possible problem, your doctor may suggest a CST as a follow-up.
What the Test Does
The contraction stress test helps predict how your baby will do during labor. The test triggers contractions and registers how your baby’s heart reacts. A normal heartbeat is a good sign that your baby will be healthy during labor.