I had an NST and a BPP twice a week from 30 weeks until 36 weeks when I was induced. Mine was to monitor movement and growth due to Cholestasis. Not sure why you would need it weekly for a healthy pregnancy. Just ask to find the reasoning, I know some doctors like to be on the safe side. :) As far as the actual NST, you literally lay down or sit in a reclined position (my office had recliners) with two monitors on your belly, one for contractions and one for heartbeat. They are monitoring heart accelerations. It's super easy. I usually ate a snack and slept during mine because they were 20 minutes each

I just did my first NST on Monday it was pretty quick, I promise it took my nurse more time to hook me up to the monitors and do vitals then it did to do the test.

So is this a normal procedure then?

I had NST's from 32 weeks on, it's to monitor the baby and monitor if you're having contractions