Need info on biophysical profile. I'm a nervous wreck...

peanut701

(I'm sorry about the lack of paragraphs - posting from my phone.) So I'm 4 days past my due date. Not abnormal at all. But I can't shake this terrible feeling that something is/ will go wrong with the baby. Her movement hasn't decreased. In fact, she's been hyperactive the past 2 weeks to the point where she's often hurting me. The change in movement seems weird to me though and it adds to my concern. I want to be patient and let her cook 42 weeks, but something is happening to me psychologically and I'm afraid I'm going to lose her. I think the only thing that will calm me down is more comprehensive testing. My OB has me going for an NST plus a brief ultrasound to check my fluid level 2x/week. Is this the same thing as a biophysical profile? I can't figure it out from the description of a BPP I'm finding online. If it's not, I think I'm going to ask her for a BPP.

jb2rn

Yes, a biophysical profile is the same as a BPP. I haven't had it done, but it is an ultrasound that is looking for various markers - fluid level being just one, to ensure fetal health.

 I am sorry you are so worried. I agree the end is both exciting but can make you anxious. Try to relax and be grateful you are having this testing done, hopefully it will set your mind at ease.

peanut701

jb2rn:

Yes, a biophysical profile is the same as a BPP. I haven't had it done, but it is an ultrasound that is looking for various markers - fluid level being just one, to ensure fetal health.

 I am sorry you are so worried. I agree the end is both exciting but can make you anxious. Try to relax and be grateful you are having this testing done, hopefully it will set your mind at ease.

Oh, what I meant is, is the NST + brief ultrasound to check fluid the same as a BPP? I wasn't asking if BPP is the abbreviation for biophysical profile. I'm sorry if I was unclear. I haven't been getting much sleep.

apb8-6-05

I know the feeling! I've been so looking forward to my last day at work, but I've been a bit of a mess instead. Anyways, I think the BPP can be done instead of a NST, but it's an ultrasound. They look for fluid, movement, placenta health, and practice breathing from the baby. My doctor likened it to an Apgar test in the womb. I've had them for the past month because of my blood pressure.

 

 

jb2rn

I am pretty sure at any u/s at this point in pregnancy, the MD is looking for the same things as you would in an a BPP - fluid levels, HR, placenta, movement..as the previous poster said. You can always ask about those individual things if they don't point them out to you, though.

baileyrayvalentine

peanut701:

jb2rn:

Yes, a biophysical profile is the same as a BPP. I haven't had it done, but it is an ultrasound that is looking for various markers - fluid level being just one, to ensure fetal health.

 I am sorry you are so worried. I agree the end is both exciting but can make you anxious. Try to relax and be grateful you are having this testing done, hopefully it will set your mind at ease.

Oh, what I meant is, is the NST + brief ultrasound to check fluid the same as a BPP? I wasn't asking if BPP is the abbreviation for biophysical profile. I'm sorry if I was unclear. I haven't been getting much sleep.

Yes - you are correct.  These two things comprise a BPP.  I am going in for one this morning because they suspect I have cholestasis because I had a few bouts of serious itchiness.  I don't think I have it after all...but I'm happy to have the BPP to check on my little guy.  I know you're super anxious, I totally identify where you're coming from - but as long as you feel the movement, you know your baby is okay!  Sending you lots of good vibes. 

Rosebud2587

I know how you feel...  

I go in for my NST/AFI tomorrow if baby isn't born today, and I don't think that's going to happen. I think she's going to stay in until she gets forced out  

pghjen

At my weekly NSTs, they measure:

Baby's heart rate (active and resting) for 20+ minutes

Movement

Fluid levels

My blood pressure

MommaErica

First of all, it sounds like your doctor is being very conscientious about monitoring you and your baby and that's great.  Second, you get huge kudos for being so willing to go the whole 42 week distance If my health and my baby's health would allow me to do that, I would except, I'd be super grumpy and complaining about it the whole time.  Your attitude about it is awesome!

To answer your question, NO, a NST combined with a "quick ultrasound to check fluid levels" is NOT a BPP.

Ultrasounds can be done for any number of reasons in late term pregnancy, they aren't all a BPP or equivalent.  A BPP would unlikely be termed "quick" since a baby is supposed to be given 20 minutes to demonstrated everything they are looking for and it can not be determined to be "abnormal" until 30 minutes have elapsed.   If a baby hits all the markers sooner, the test can certainly end sooner however, they are generally scheduled for a half an hour since that is how much time you may need to get your results.

Your doctor may simply be checking fluid level, since those can decline in late term pregnancy.  To do an actual BPP, your doctor needs to check:

1) Fetal breathing movements 2)  

MommaErica

Sorry, hit "post by accident

2) Gross body movements 3) Fetal tone 4) a reactive NST  4)Qualitative amniotic fluid volume

Each of those items has criteria that will score 0-2 points giving you a final score anywhere from 0-10.  Be aware though, some doctors do not count the NST results as part of the BPP (like mine).  My doctor gives results out of 8 and then says reactive or non-reactive for the NST.  Most doctors I believe would just give the 2 points for a reactive NST and score it a 10.

So, one way to tell if you are getting a BPP is to ask what your score is.  Make sure to also ask if they are scoring you out of 8 or 10. 

The other way to know is to ask the doctor.  I'm fairly sure if you aren't getting a full BPP, they would be happy to do it for your peace of mind.  

It's hard to tell from second hand reports of what your doctor told you what it is he is actually doing but, it doesn't sound like a true BPP to me.  Only your doc can tell you for sure. 

nicababy

A biophysical profile is an ultrasound in which baby is given a score out of 8.  

 2 points for breathing movements (30 seconds)

2 points for 3 large body movements

2 points for fetal muscle tone (ie flexing an arm or leg in cases where 3 big movements aren't seen)

2 points for having at least one 2 x 2 cm pocket of fluid

 

The points are all or none (babies can't get one point, it's 0 or 2).  They get 30 minutes to demonstrate all of those behaviours.  At our practice, if a baby gets less than 8/8, then we also do a NST, which is not with ultrasound.  Here they monitor baby's heart rate and how it reacts to movement.  The BPP score will be adjusted to out of 10.  8/8 or 8/10 is normal.  The most common thing babies don't show us is the practice breathing, so don't panic if your baby doesn't do that but gets points for everything else.  At our practice we do a BPP on any obstetric ultrasound over 28 weeks, regardless of why they came to us.  I know that is not true of everywhere though, so if you're unsure, ask the tech.

TimeRacer

I just had all the tests done this morning, actually. They did the NST and a BPP/AFI scan using the ultrasound machine.

So, the BPP in my experience was them not only checking fluid levels and placenta function, but they did a quick once over the baby while she was squirming around just double checking her while they were at it.

peanut701

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses. The testing I've been getting is definitely not a BPP. I'm going to ask for one to help put my mind at ease a bit.

Mom2Cinderella

I know how you feel.  I'm right there with you.  I had an NST today.  My cervix is not "favorable" for an induction yet. So I go in Thursday for the same thing-ultrasound to check fluid levels, placenta, cord,etc.  If I don't go into labor before then, I will be induced Sunday/Monday.  The way I feel is that I am glad they are doing the extra testing (NST, ultrasound) because I feel like they are keeping a closer eye on LO.  Anything could have happened any time up until now when they weren't doing these tests to check for well being.  At least now, every few days they are checking her and if she failed a test, they would send me over to L&D right away.  Good luck and try to trust in your ob. You aren't the only woman to go past your due date.

jennf8812

I had NST every week and if the baby did not move enough during the NST then they did a biophysical profile.  If she did move enough during the NST they just checked the fluid.