In the last few weeks of your pregnancy, did your doctor tell you to do a test called a 'Biophysical Profile'? You might have been a little scared when he told you that, right? 'Is there something wrong with my baby?' But don't be scared at all. This is usually a routine test to make sure that the baby is doing well in the womb. It's like a 'report card' given to us at school, and it gives the doctor a 'report' on the baby's health. Let's talk about this simply.
What is a Biophysical Profile (BPP)?
Simply put, a Biophysical Profile (BPP) is a test to check the health of your unborn baby. It is usually done after 32 weeks of pregnancy. Doctors recommend this test, especially if your pregnancy is high-risk or if there are any abnormalities in a previous test.
This is a completely painless and safe test. It mainly uses an `ultrasound scan`. This scan looks at four aspects of the baby's activity and gives them a score. Sometimes, in addition to this, another small test is also done. We will talk about that later.
What exactly does this test look for?
A BPP test focuses on 5 main components. The first four are checked with an ultrasound scan. The last one is done only if necessary.
| The element being tested | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Baby's body movements | We check to see if the baby is moving its limbs or moving its body back and forth. A healthy baby should be moving well. |
| Baby's muscle tone | They watch things like whether the baby is flexing his arms, stretching them, bending his legs, or stretching them. |
| Baby's breathing movements | Even while the baby is still in the womb, his chest moves as if he is breathing. We check to see if those movements are happening properly. |
| Amniotic fluid volume | The amount of amniotic fluid (amniotic fluid) around the baby is measured to see if it is sufficient. This is very important for the baby's safety and development. |
| Fetal heart rate | This is checked with a test called a Nonstress Test (NST). This is done only if necessary. It checks to see if the baby's heart rate increases when he or she moves. |
Sometimes, the doctor may do a `modified biophysical profile` instead of the full BPP. This involves only the `Nonstress Test (NST)` mentioned above and measuring the amount of water (`amniotic fluid`) surrounding the baby.
Why are you being asked to do a BPP?
This test is not usually done for everyone. Your doctor may recommend this test if your pregnancy is at risk, or if you have not had a baby by 40 weeks. You are more likely to have a BPP if you have one or more of the following conditions:
- If you have diseases like high blood pressure (Hypertension) or lupus (Lupus).
- If you feel that your baby's movements (fetal movements) have decreased.
- If the baby has died in a previous pregnancy (previous stillbirth).
- If you are expecting twins or triplets (multiples).
- If you have had high blood pressure (preeclampsia) during pregnancy.
- If there is a suspicion that the baby's growth is below normal, it is called ``Intrauterine growth restriction''.
- If you had diabetes before you became pregnant, or if you developed diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes).
- If the amount of amniotic fluid around the baby is too low or too high.
- If your blood type is Rh negative.
- If you are over 35 years old when you have a baby.
- If your body mass index (BMI) is 30 or higher (obese).
How to do the BPP test?
This test usually takes about 30 to 40 minutes to complete. It has two main parts.
1. Ultrasound examination
This is just like your regular scan. You lie down on a bed, a gel is applied to your stomach, and a device called a transducer is moved over your stomach. The doctor can then see the baby's image on a monitor. During this time, the baby's movements, breathing, muscle activity, and water level are measured.
2. Nonstress Test (NST)
This is only done if necessary. In this, you will be made to lie down on a bed and a belt will be tied around your stomach. A sensor on the belt will measure the baby's heartbeat. This will take about 20 minutes.
Just like our heart rate increases when we climb stairs, when a baby struggles, their heart rate should also increase a little. That's what this is about. A healthy baby should show at least two such accelerations in a 20-minute period.
Sometimes this may not happen because the baby is sleeping. In such cases, the doctor can use something like a buzzer to wake the baby up.
Scoring System for the Test
The four elements seen in the ultrasound scan are scored as 0 or 2. There is no score of 1. That means if the relevant activity is good, the score is 2, or 0.
| The element being tested | Qualification required to get 2 points |
|---|---|
| Body movements | The baby's body or limbs move three or more times within 30 minutes. |
| Muscle function | Bending and unbending an arm/leg or flexing and unbending an arm/leg once within 30 minutes. |
| Breathing movements | Showing at least one continuous breathing movement lasting at least 30 seconds within 30 minutes. |
| The amount of fluid in the lungs | There should be a space at least 2 centimeters deep and 1 centimeter wide where the fluid is. |
This scan can give a maximum score of 8. If the NST is also done and it is good, 2 more points are added to it. Then the total score will be 10.
What do the signs say?
The results of the test are usually available the same day. The doctor will determine the baby's condition based on those scores.
- Score 8 or 10: This means that the baby's health is very good . There is nothing to worry about.
- 6 points: This means there is some uncertainty. There is nothing to worry about, but the doctor will decide to monitor the baby further. He may ask you to do the same test again in 12-24 hours. Or he may consider delivering the baby soon.
- Score 4 or less: This is a situation that requires some concern . The baby may be experiencing some discomfort in the womb. At this point, the doctor will often decide to deliver the baby early.
The most important thing: If the amount of amniotic fluid around the baby is low, even if everything else is fine, it is a matter of concern. The doctor will pay special attention to it.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this test?
Advantages
The biggest advantage of this is that there is no harm or risk to you or the baby . This is a completely safe test.
Disadvantages
- If this test is done before 32 weeks of pregnancy, the results may not be very accurate.
- If you are taking certain medications, such as corticosteroids, it may affect the results. (For example, the baby's breathing movements may be artificially increased and body movements may be reduced.)
- Sometimes, if you can't make a decision right away, you may have to repeat the test.
It's normal to feel a little nervous or anxious about tests during pregnancy. But remember, a BPP is a test done to ensure the safety of you and your baby. Most of the time, it's just a precaution. If you have any questions or concerns about this, talk to your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- A Biophysical Profile (BPP) is a safe, painless scan that checks whether the baby is healthy in the womb.
- Don't be alarmed when you hear the name of this test. Most of the time, this is done as a precaution.
- A low score doesn't always mean there's a big problem. It just means the doctor is continuing to monitor you and your baby closely.
- Talk openly with your doctor about any doubts or fears you have.
- All of this is done to help bring a healthy child safely into this world.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න