Biophysical Profile (BPP) Anyone else?

RedRose87

My doctor's office told me they do a BPP as part of their typical office procedures, so I will be getting one on the 7th of May. I will be 33 weeks (almost 34 weeks) pregnant. I'm excited to see little one again (as I didn't think I'd get another sonogram) but I am also really nervous!

Anyone else have one done? What should I expect?

Jess & Drew

For me, it really wasn't any different than any of my other ultrasounds. They just took a bunch of measurements, checked LOs heart, saw that she was head down, and looked to see if she was doing "practice breathing". It was sort of like a mini anatomy scan.

Junebaby2

Hi I will have one done today. When I get back I will let you know. I have to have them weekly until 37 weeks when my doctor plans on inducing me. I have a mild abruption and iron and b12 problems. so I am high risk and have testing and doctors 3 times a week. I hope everything is ok and your doctor is just checking things for you.

Irishgypsy88

Yep.  I have them every. single. week.  Since 33 weeks, and will have to until I deliver.  Except for the fact that I'm 41 and this is my first baby, there is no other reason.  I'm healthy, baby's healthy, no complications to speak of.  But, that being said, they're easy.  They just take time out of my day that I wish I didn't have to lose on such a regular basis.

3plus1equals4

I have one tomorrow to make sure I'm okay to go over 40 weeks..

Olive44

I had one last week.  They just checked that she was doing practice breathing, checked for a certain amount of movements/wiggles, etc.  Wasn't a big deal at all.

lkwelter

I have to have BPP's every week due to high blood pressure.  The tech checks that he's practicing his breathing, his heart rate, measures the amniotic fluid, and makes sure that he's moving around.  Make sure you eat or drink something before the ultrasound because they want to see that little one wiggling:)

sferg2010

I have one scheduled for next week.

Megloveshim07

Biophysical Profiles are a way for your baby to beevaluated while in utero. There is a total of 8 possible points given for a perfect score. It is not another anatomy scan, they may or may not to measurements to evaluate growth (I do personally but every office is a lil different).  

2 possible points for a sufficient amt. of amniotic fluid

2 poss. points for fetal tone

2 poss. points for fetal movement

2 poss. points for fetal breathing 

Its just basically a check up to make sure baby is still thriving as it should!  

igottacitylove

I have to have a BPP done every week because I'm high risk. It's just a quick measurement ultrasound.

easjer05

Have them every week since 34 weeks, and a surprise one yesterday when baby had a couple of minor decels during my NST.

No big deal - mine have been pretty short, actually.  How much I can see depends on the tech (two let me watch everything and talk to me, the third does it all with the screen facing away and then turns the screen for a few moments of watching baby).

As the others have said, they are looking to measure fetal reactivity and heart rate, muscle tone (looking for full flexion of limbs or hands, etc) and reflexes, evidence of practice breathing and amniotic fluid levels.

The hardest time I've had is when baby is napping during the test.  Then I've had to roll all over the table, jiggle the baby, poke the baby until baby moves.  But baby's always passed beautifully once we get her awake.  My office does not do weight measurements or growth scans at the same time as a matter of practice. 

jennyann28

I've had many, as my baby has IUGR.  This is not a growth scan or "mini-anatomy scan".  Like PPs stated, they are checking for muscle flexion, practice breathing, and fluid levels.  Mine also doppler cord bloodflow, as LO has SUA too, but I don't believe that's part of a regular BPP.  They're very quick ultrasounds.  Generally, if you're not high-risk, you only have them if you're overdue or there's some sort of concern.

Christina_Diane

I had one after my water broke with my LO, but it was frightening for me. LO had an unusually slow hr and they needed to make sure he was okay for labor. It was just an ultrasound and the hospital tech who did mine was super annoyed to be called to labor and delivery at three in the morning.