Test Overview

A biophysical profile (BPP) test measures the health of your baby (fetus) during pregnancy. A BPP test may include a non-stress test with electronic fetal heart monitoring and a fetal ultrasound. The BPP measures your baby's heart rate, muscle tone, movement, breathing, and the amount of amniotic fluid around your baby.

A BPP is commonly done in the last trimester of pregnancy. If there is a chance that your baby may have problems during your pregnancy (high-risk pregnancy), a BPP may be done by 32 to 34 weeks or earlier. Some women with high-risk pregnancies may have a BPP test every week or twice a week in the third trimester.

Why It Is Done

A biophysical profile (BPP) test is done to:

• Learn about and keep track of your baby's health during your pregnancy.
• Check on your baby's health if you have:
  • Hyperthyroidism.
  • Bleeding problems.
  • Lupus.
  • Chronic kidney disease.
  • Type 1 diabetes or gestational diabetes.
  • High blood pressure (hypertension).
  • Pre-eclampsia.
  • A small amount of amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios) or too much amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios).
  • A multiple pregnancy (such as twins or triplets).
  • A pregnancy that has gone past your due date, between 40 and 42 weeks.
  • Abnormal results on a non-stress test.

How To Prepare

• If you smoke, you will be asked to stop smoking for 2 hours before testing. This is because smoking affects the baby's heart rate and movements.
• You may be asked to drink water or other liquids just before testing. You will be able to empty your bladder after the test.

How It Is Done

The BPP has two parts. First you have a non-stress test, and then you have a fetal ultrasound. For the tests, you will lie back on a padded examination table. If you become short of breath or light-headed while lying on your back, say so. The technician can help you change your position.

Non-stress test

• Two elastic belts with sensors are placed across your belly. One sensor tracks your baby's heart rate with reflected sound waves (Doppler ultrasound). The other sensor measures how long your contractions are, if you are having any.
• You may hear your baby's heartbeat as a beeping sound. You may see it printed out on a chart.
• You may be asked to push a button on the machine when your baby moves or you have a contraction. This helps your doctor look at how your baby's heart reacts to movement and contractions.
• If there isn't much movement, it may be because the baby is asleep. If this happens during your test, the technician may try to wake the baby with a loud noise or by having you eat or drink something.

Fetal ultrasound

• A gel will be spread on your belly. This helps the passage of sound waves.
• A small, hand-held sensor will be pressed against the gel on your skin and moved across your belly a few times.
• You may be able to watch the screen to see the picture of your baby during the test.

How long the test takes

• The non-stress test will take about 20 to 40 minutes.
• The fetal ultrasound will take about 30 to 60 minutes.

How It Feels

Lying on your back (or side) during the test may be uncomfortable. During a fetal ultrasound, you may have a feeling of pressure in your bladder. The gel may feel cool when it is first applied to your stomach. You will feel a light pressure from the transducer as it passes over your abdomen.

Risks

There is very little chance of either the mother or the baby having a problem from a biophysical profile (BPP). But you may feel anxious if the ultrasound reveals a problem with your pregnancy or baby. A non-stress test may falsely show distress in a baby that is actually healthy.

Results

The results are scores on five measurements in a 30-minute observation period. Each measurement has a score of 2 points if normal and 0 points if not normal.

Some BPPs don't include all the measurements. When all five measurements are taken, a score of 8 or 10 points means that your baby is healthy. A score of 6 or 8 points means that you may need to be retested in 24 hours. A score of 4 or less may mean the baby is having problems.