Who all is getting regular NSTs or BPPs?

babylimas · January 2014

I had my first weekly appointment this morning. We are doing NSTs and BPPs alternating weekly with a doctor appointment afterwards. I was at the doctor's office for 3 hours this morning. Add in the hour drive to the hospital and half my day was gone. Glad the little stinker is looking good, but this is tough!

Just curious who else is having these done? It was very interesting. I just watched the paper the entire time. I was also amazed at how I was having contractions I couldn't even feel.

kelley72 · January 2014

I will but haven't started yet thankfully... start in three weeks.

aLsMay24 · January 2014

I don't think I will. Other than threathening preterm labor issues everything with baby seems ok.

codec · January 2014

I'm starting mine this Thursday. Its going to be a pain in the butt because its downtown

about 20 minutes away. They scheduled me with MFM right after though. So two birds one stone at least.

katykatykaty · January 2014

Apparently I'm starting with the NSTs on Monday at my OB's office. Last time I only had a few NSTs with my perinatologist, but this time I'm having them both places. Is the BPP an ultrasound similar to an anatomy scan? I'm going to have at least two more of those ultrasounds. Between doctor's appointments and touring preschools and daycares, I'm feeling really guilty about not being at work very much right now.

YankeePeach08 · January 2014

I"m doing BPPs 1x/week and then meet with midwife or doctor. Luckily the BPP only takes 20 min and it is close to my house.

babylimas · January 2014

I'm not entirely sure what the BPP is. My first one will be next week. I have googled, but am still not quite clear. My OB described it as essentially an NST with an ultrasound. I know we are also getting growth measurements and fluid levels since his measurements are abnormal.

AriaAmante143 · January 2014

I get an NST and growth ultrasound weekly. Not gonna lie, I wish I could nap during the NST!

babylimas · January 2014

YankeePeach08 said:

I"m doing BPPs 1x/week and then meet with midwife or doctor. Luckily the BPP only takes 20 min and it is close to my house.

They told me the NST would only take 20 minutes, but then he had a possible deceleration so I had to sit for another 20 minutes. Add in the time for the tech to go consult with the doctor between sessions and I was in that room for over an hour. Plus this place always makes you wait forever to get called back. I had the first appointment of the day at 8:30 and they didn't call me back until 9:05.

YankeePeach08 · January 2014

When I get the BPP they take 4 pics of the baby and then measure the fluid level in each pic and get an average of overall fluid level.

Next the measure the HB.

Lastly the measure the blood flow in the cord.

Each baby gets a score out of 8 for their test.

They also do growth scan but will only do that every 14 days.

katykatykaty · January 2014

I think what I'm getting must be growth scans, because the doctor measures his head, legs, stomach, and maybe some other things that I'm forgetting. Hopefully we won't have to do that every week.

codec · January 2014

katykatykaty said:
I think what I'm getting must be growth scans, because the doctor measures his head, legs, stomach, and maybe some other things that I'm forgetting. Hopefully we won't have to do that every week.

Is this where they guesstimate the weight? I'm having one done tomorrow, if that's what it is.

karacakes98 · January 2014

I'm supposed to start next week, but since I'm between OBs right now, who knows what will happen.

erinsullivan427 · January 2014

I just started weekly BPP's for high-ish blood pressure. My doctor is worried I am going to develop pre-e due to some other factors.

Baby has 30 mins to practice breathing, flex, and have purposeful movement. If he/she does all those and the amniotic fluid and HR are normal, then they don't do an NST for me. Baby gets a score out of 8 and I think once it's below 6/8, they start to watch more closely. Luckily this week baby did all within 5 mins and got an 8/8. My doctor said her biggest thing to watch for is flexing/muscle tone.

I think it helps them to decide whether baby is better off on the inside or on the outside.

ardmj80 · January 2014

I've been on weekly NST's now for the past 3 weeks.... I've been sitting in l & d for the past 3 hours, and even after juice and crackers baby A will not cooperate. I'm pretty sure I will be going back down to ultrasound for a BPP. It sucks wasting the day away.

akb1125 · January 2014

I'm starting mine this week. Ill be getting weekly NSTs and BPP and a growth scan every other week. My baby is measuring abnormally large so they want to monitor him. Thank god I go on maternity leave in two weeks! It's so hard to fit in all these appointments plus regular on/gyn appts

jennybean80 · January 2014

At this point I'm getting NSTs twice a day, and a BPP every other week. BPP stands for biophysical profile and is an u/s test looking at fetal movement, tone, practice breathing and fluid volume. Each can get a mark of 0,1 or 2 for a total out of 8. Depending on the orders from the doc they might include a growth scan along with the BPP.

katykatykaty · January 2014

codec said:

I think what I'm getting must be growth scans, because the doctor measures his head, legs, stomach, and maybe some other things that I'm forgetting. Hopefully we won't have to do that every week.
Is this where they guesstimate the weight? I'm having one done tomorrow, if that's what it is.

Yeah, I always get a weight estimate, too.

elliebean14 · January 2014

I am starting weekly appointments in three weeks (at 36 weeks) and I know we're doing ultrasounds at each one to check baby's growth, monitor blood flow, check the health of the placenta, and check fluid levels. From what I've found on Google this sounds like a BPP. I'd like to ask my midwives about doing NSTs and BPPs since other women with clotting risks seem to be doing these. For those doing BPPs, did your doctor/midwife specifically call them BPPs or just "ultrasounds"?

ceh789 · January 2014

erinsullivan427 said:

Baby has 30 mins to practice breathing, flex, and have purposeful movement. If he/she does all those and the amniotic fluid and HR are normal, then they don't do an NST for me. Baby gets a score out of 8 and I think once it's below 6/8, they start to watch more closely.

This is exactly what my BPP protocol is as well, but they also do measurements/look at the color image for blood flow on the placenta I believe because they are concerned about placental degradation (probably because my BP is high rather than high-ish

. I've been going in weekly since 28 weeks and will continue through delivery. Every 4th week they also will do a growth scan unless/until they become concerned about IUGR then they'll either induce or start weekly grown scans - fortunately she's been holding steady around the 60th percentile so I feel good about her growth continuing on track.

It's funny how much these weekly tests have changed my perspective on US - it's really not a fun thing to do anymore, it's stressful until I see her moving. Last week the tech was genuinely puzzled when I said I didn't mind that she couldn't get a photo of baby's face for me - I was like, yeah it's cool, I'll take my 8/8 score and be happy.

babylimas · January 2014

@ceh789 - I understand the picture thing. I have had so many scans and they always want me to sit there and ooh and aaah over his 3D face. I just want them to finish up so I can get off my back. Plus he looks abnormal to me, so it's really hard for me to look at them. That sounds really really horrible, but it kind of gives me a shot to the heart every time I see his little face.

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ceh789 · January 2014

babylimas said:

@ceh789 - I understand the picture thing. I have had so many scans and they always want me to sit there and ooh and aaah over his 3D face. I just want them to finish up so I can get off my back. Plus he looks abnormal to me, so it's really hard for me to look at them. That sounds really really horrible, but it kind of gives me a shot to the heart every time I see his little face.

I went with love it but I wish I had a internet hug button instead. It doesn't sound horrible at all and I absolutely get what you mean. Once he has a real face instead of an US face it will start to look "right" to you I'm sure. I'm going with right instead of normal/abnormal because those words just aren't fair

katykatykaty · January 2014

babylimas said:

@ceh789 - I understand the picture thing. I have had so many scans and they always want me to sit there and ooh and aaah over his 3D face. I just want them to finish up so I can get off my back. Plus he looks abnormal to me, so it's really hard for me to look at them. That sounds really really horrible, but it kind of gives me a shot to the heart every time I see his little face.

(( creepy internet hugs ))

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babylimas · January 2014

Thanks ladies.

I've accepted everything and am ok with it on a normal basis. It's just a whole other ballgame when it looks so real on the screen, and it's easier to just not look. I know when I can finally hold him and smell him I will be able to see more than just facial features.

erind0213 · January 2014

I start NSTs at 34 weeks once week with them possibly bumping up to twice a week.

Didnt have to deal with this with my first pregnancy 3yrs ago.

Not due to high blood pressure, or GD or that baby is measuring too big or to smal or my agel....all becuase im overweight......

troublejessy · January 2014

I'm starting in two weeks. Is anyone else having them done due to a mature placenta? I just found out that I have a grade 3 at 34 weeks and waiting two weeks for a BPP seems like an eternity....

kelsistalker · January 2014

I'm with ya. NST's 2x a week and a weekly ultrasound for fluid levels and placenta vascularity.

lvlichelle · January 2014

What is BPP?

Starting this week I will be having NST test twice a week (on Monday's and Thursday's). I found out why they are doing them..because I have "poor reproductive history" (3 miscarriages, no successful pregnancies... still praying to God that this will be my rainbow baby) and because I am on Lovenox (a daily blood thinner injection). I think mainly it has to do with my previous miscarriages.

At first I thought it was silly for me to be going in twice a week.. but now I am thankful that they are going to be checking her twice a week. It really does take my stress level down.

CherryPicked · January 2014

@babylimas Hugs.

lvlichelle · January 2014

AriaAmante143 said:

I get an NST and growth ultrasound weekly. Not gonna lie, I wish I could nap during the NST!

Me too.. Listening to the baby's heart is so relaxing.. it's almost like listening to waves crashing on the beach. I realize that they sound nothing alike, but they are both really relaxing. I must have loved listening to my Mom's heartbeat while I was in her belly. Maybe that's why I find LO's heartbeat so relaxing.

JAck5209 · January 2014

Yup, NST's and ultrasounds twice a week. The last two took over an hour each because Baby A is lethargic. She gets the buzzer a lot. Silly girl.

ceh789 · January 2014

lvlichelle said:

What is BPP?

Biophysical Profile - the US test described in previous posts.

babylimas · January 2014

kderoy said:

@babylimas Hugs.

And same to you @kderoy. I think about you and your little girl all the time, and I'm happy to see you around.

lvlichelle · January 2014

ceh789 said:

lvlichelle said:

What is BPP?

Biophysical Profile - the US test described in previous posts.

Sorry, I have a really bad habit of posting a comment before reading responses.

kelley72 · January 2014

troublejessy said:

I'm starting in two weeks. Is anyone else having them done due to a mature placenta? I just found out that I have a grade 3 at 34 weeks and waiting two weeks for a BPP seems like an eternity....

yes'mam or actully because I'm old I'm 41... my placenta looked like a 29 year olds at my last apt! I start the 2 times a weeks at 32 wks so I'm a few weeks behind ...

edit to add: I'll have one NST and one BPP a week to ensure my placenta is not failing due to my age and check lo's size in case we have to induce early due to placental failure

twinlove314 · January 2014

My weekly appointments started today. I'll have a bpp at each appointment.

mfarmer0811 · January 2014

I start BPP next Wednesday, go in 2 weeks from that for a growth scan..I think, then I'll start going in every week. I'm Type 1 diabetic, so I guess that is why. I'm not sure what the weekly appointments will consist of.

LaurenAsh23 · January 2014

me...and I'm hoping I can keep on track with work. I know my job is flexible hours and my boss is understanding, it's just going to be a lot of time & money spent at the dr in these next 2 months! I start with a BPP next week and then twice a week NSTs after that.

mfarmer0811 · January 2014

erinsullivan427 said:

. Baby has 30 mins to practice breathing, flex, and have purposeful movement. If he/she does all those and the amniotic fluid and HR are normal, then they don't do an NST for me. Baby gets a score out of 8 and I think once it's below 6/8, they start to watch more closely. Luckily this week baby did all within 5 mins and got an 8/8. My doctor said her biggest thing to watch for is flexing/muscle tone. I think it helps them to decide whether baby is better off on the inside or on the outside.

This is what my OB told me as well.

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Who all is getting regular NSTs or BPPs?

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"Dear Lord, I would have loved to have held my babies on my lap and tell them about You, but since I didn't get the chance, would You please hold them on Your lap and tell them about me?

BFP #4 6/26/13, EDD 3/8/14, Delivered @ 40w6d
Bethany Elizabeth born on 3/14/14 @ 6:48am weighing almost 8lbs 1oz and measuring 20 1/2 inches.

"Dear Lord, I would have loved to have held my babies on my lap and tell them about You, but since I didn't get the chance, would You please hold them on Your lap and tell them about me?

BFP #4 6/26/13, EDD 3/8/14, Delivered @ 40w6d
Bethany Elizabeth born on 3/14/14 @ 6:48am weighing almost 8lbs 1oz and measuring 20 1/2 inches.

"Dear Lord, I would have loved to have held my babies on my lap and tell them about You, but since I didn't get the chance, would You please hold them on Your lap and tell them about me?

BFP #4 6/26/13, EDD 3/8/14, Delivered @ 40w6d
Bethany Elizabeth born on 3/14/14 @ 6:48am weighing almost 8lbs 1oz and measuring 20 1/2 inches.

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Want a personalized experience?

Who all is getting regular NSTs or BPPs?

Re: Who all is getting regular NSTs or BPPs?

"Dear Lord, I would have loved to have held my babies on my lap and tell them about You, but since I didn't get the chance, would You please hold them on Your lap and tell them about me?

BFP #4 6/26/13, EDD 3/8/14, Delivered @ 40w6dBethany Elizabeth born on 3/14/14 @ 6:48am weighing almost 8lbs 1oz and measuring 20 1/2 inches.

"Dear Lord, I would have loved to have held my babies on my lap and tell them about You, but since I didn't get the chance, would You please hold them on Your lap and tell them about me?

BFP #4 6/26/13, EDD 3/8/14, Delivered @ 40w6dBethany Elizabeth born on 3/14/14 @ 6:48am weighing almost 8lbs 1oz and measuring 20 1/2 inches.

"Dear Lord, I would have loved to have held my babies on my lap and tell them about You, but since I didn't get the chance, would You please hold them on Your lap and tell them about me?

BFP #4 6/26/13, EDD 3/8/14, Delivered @ 40w6dBethany Elizabeth born on 3/14/14 @ 6:48am weighing almost 8lbs 1oz and measuring 20 1/2 inches.

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BFP #4 6/26/13, EDD 3/8/14, Delivered @ 40w6d
Bethany Elizabeth born on 3/14/14 @ 6:48am weighing almost 8lbs 1oz and measuring 20 1/2 inches.

BFP #4 6/26/13, EDD 3/8/14, Delivered @ 40w6d
Bethany Elizabeth born on 3/14/14 @ 6:48am weighing almost 8lbs 1oz and measuring 20 1/2 inches.

BFP #4 6/26/13, EDD 3/8/14, Delivered @ 40w6d
Bethany Elizabeth born on 3/14/14 @ 6:48am weighing almost 8lbs 1oz and measuring 20 1/2 inches.