This resource certainly made me feel a LOT better about my decision to decline the NST!

It has a list of who needs the test...I fit in none of the groups.

http://www.welcomebabyhome.com/pregnancy/nonstress_test_pregnancy.htm

To me, it's more of a concern to be on my back that long, as I do feel uncomfortable in that position, as well as lying on my right side for too long.

More proof that these tests are provider-based. There is even a discrepancy on what age is technically considered AMA...35 or 40? Seems to depend on the provider.

http://www.diaperswappers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1045587

Higher risk at 35? Hardly. Check out this graph...yeah, it's from Wikipedia. I'll try to find a more reliable resource. However, this IS what I read in my pregnancy books. So my chance of having a baby with Downs is .5% higher than when I was 20 years old.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Trisomy21_graph.jpg

Here is one with good information regarding AFI (amniotic fluid idex). This would actually go against my decision. (I am a researcher...I can't be biased in the information I provide here).

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/lowamnioticfluidoligohydramnios.htm

Here is an excerpt from the Institution of Midwifery, along with a link to the entire piece.

"Factors Affecting Amniotic Fluid Index

Those factors affecting amniotic fluid index include both maternal and fetal factors and certainly can affect pregnancies outcomes. Established factors include postmaturity syndrome, maternal disease including hypertension, diabetes in pregnancy, autoimmune disorders and maternal medications. Fetal anomalies including both immune and nonimmune fetal hydrops, fetal weight, and multiple gestation with also affect amniotic fluid index (Sherer, 2002). These factors have also been established as affecting perinatal outcomes. The purpose of this literature review is to look at those factors that can affect amniotic fluid levels that are not considered to be known risk factors for pregnancy. Maternal hydration status is seldom included in assessments of amniotic fluid index. Wolman, Groutz, Gull, Gordon, Geva, Lessing, and Jaffa (2000), assessed the influence of a 24 hour fast on amniotic fluid index. The amniotic fluid index of 22 women in the second trimester of uncomplicated pregnancy was evaluated on the morning after a 24 hour fast. These women were prospectively matched to another group of 25 women who did not fast. The fasting women were evaluated by one examiner on the morning following a religious holiday when both solids and liquids are forbidden. The examiner was not aware of whether the women had fasted, a second exam was performed a week later by a second observer who was unaware of the results of the first examiner or whether the women had fasted. All women signed an informed consent form. Amniotic fluid index was assessed utilizing the four quadrant technique. There was no difference between the two groups regarding mean maternal age, parity or gestational week. Statistical analysis was performed by the Statistics Laboratory, Tel Aviv University School of Mathematics, using the paired Student test. Significance was established at the level of P<.01."


http://www.instituteofmidwifery.org/MSFinalProj.nsf/a9ee58d7a82396768525684f0056be8d/bc4cf4de801a000885256ddf004dfc0f?OpenDocument

One reason to question your OB. Yes, they are professionals, but they are HUMAN.

http://myobsaidwhat.com/2011/06/07/that-could-not-possibly-have-any-effect-on-your-amniotic-fluid-levels/