nonstress test (NST) the monitoring of the response of the fetal heart rate to fetal movements by cardiotocography. In other words, a noninvasive test is a monitoring test in which fetal movements are monitored and recorded, along with changes in fetal heart rate.
[That is to explain: As the pregnancy progresses, the doctor will continue to check the fetal heart tones and will eventually schedule the mother for a non-stress test. The non-stress test (NST) monitors the fetal heart rate at the same time a toco transducer measures the mother's uterine contractions. Late in pregnancy, the uterus contracts – even though the mother cannot feel contractions – and the baby responds to these gentle contractions. The NST checks for a healthy fetal response to these contractions.]
The one done during labor is called PARTOGRAM. It is a programmed labor, a part of indeginous protocol to optimize labor outcome- depicting the picture the relation and the outcome of cervical dilation, fetal heart rate and the uterine contraction in timely fashion.
Partography denotes the graphic representation of cervical dilation on atimed scale time curve of labor.When patient in labor, the consulting physician has to monitor and write report (CPT CODE 59050),
When the consult is requested to for interpretation of the partograph , the code 59051 appropriates.
The NST can be done by attending Physician and reported with 59030.
So Sugihara, the NST is the monitoring (recording) of uterine contraction and the Fetal heart rate and its response to the uterine contraction, when the patient is not in active labor.