The evaluation of antepartum fetal well-being using the nonstress test.

Nonstress testing appears to be an effective means of identifying fetal condition. Its most definitive benefit is the identification of the "normal" fetus, which often permits a path of nonintervention. A significant benefit of the nonstress test approach is its simplicity and portability which, in a practical sense, may be extended into the office setting. Continuing simplification of definitions and consistency within testing techniques are desired goals. A better understanding of the "abnormal" patterns of fetal heart rate should be sought, and commentary from emerging ultrasonographic techniques will no doubt prove to be helpful. With enhanced understanding, it would seem reasonable to expand the application of antepartum fetal heart rate testing to broader segments of the population. It would seem to be appropriate to design a prospective randomized study to clearly demonstrate the efficacy of this simple approach in the screening of a pregnant population. In this author's opinion, such a study would demonstrate the selective superiority of this testing scheme to our statistically derived approaches to assessment of risk in current use. The decade of the 1980's holds considerable challenge for those who wish to better understand the meaning of the term "assessment of fetal well-being." Hopefully, rapid strides will lead us to a more concise and clear understanding that will have practical utility.