Breast stimulation test in fetal surveillance.

The usefulness of breast stimulation to elicit uterine contractions as a contraction stress test in fetal surveillance in high-risk pregnancies was investigated. The test was successful in fulfilling the criteria of contraction stress testing in 48 out of 76 mothers (62%). Success rates were not affected by the duration of pregnancy after 36 weeks. Nor did parity have any significant effect. The results of the breast stimulation test (BST) correlated well with the preceding non-stress test. Only one positive BST was detected in this population. In this case the late decelerations were present even during labor the next day. BST seems to be a practicable tool, in preference to the oxytocin challenge test, for fetal surveillance.