During pregnancy, the expecting mother undergoes various tests and scans to ensure the pregnancy is progressing well. It also helps to know if the baby is safe, healthy and developing well. After completing 28 weeks of pregnancy, some women may need the Biophysical Profile Test to ensure that fetal development is on track.
A biophysical profile test is a common prenatal test that checks the overall health of the growing fetus. The test is split into two parts and both are non-invasive and pain-free. This test aims to get a better look at the baby. It checks the baby’s heart rate, movement, breathing, muscle tone, and also the amount of amniotic fluid in the uterus surrounding the baby.
A biophysical profile test is usually done after the 28th week of pregnancy. If needed, they can be repeated once or twice a week. The entire test can take anywhere between 30 to 70 minutes and is usually done by a nurse trained in fetal testing.
During the BPP ultrasound, the medical professional will observe the baby’s movement in the uterus using imaging. They will also check the fluid quantity surrounding the baby. For the non-stress part of the BPP test, they will measure the baby’s heartbeat. They will use a fetal monitor to check the heartbeat while the baby is at rest and also when moving. This will give them a clear picture of the baby’s heart.
A biophysical profile test is not a mandatory routine test in pregnancy. Your doctor might recommend it after you complete 28 weeks if :
● You have health issues like gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, severe asthma or other breathing difficulties, or a kidney disease.
● You are carrying more than one baby
● You have a history of stillbirth
● You have completed 41 weeks of pregnancy
● The baby is not moving much
● The baby is small for their gestation age
● The amniotic fluid levels are too low or too high
It is natural to get stressed when your doctor recommends an additional test during pregnancy. Knowing what will happen can help ease an expecting mother’s anxiety to an extent. Here is what will happen when you go for a BPP test during pregnancy:
This is a non-invasive test and requires no preparation. You can follow the scan center’s advice regarding your solid and liquid intake. Don’t go on an empty stomach as the test can take more than an hour and being without food for so long during pregnancy is not recommended.
The first part of the test is the non-stress test which checks the baby thoroughly. Once you lay down on your left side, the practitioner will attach two monitors to your belly. One will check the baby’s heart rate and movements and the other will monitor your uterus for contractions.
They will check the baby’s heart rate while resting and when active. If the baby is sleeping or not moving much, they may nudge the baby to get some movement. This can take some time.
Using an ultrasound machine, the practitioner will check the baby’s position and movement. They will apply a cool gel on your belly and use a handheld transducer to send harmless sound waves inside the body. These sound waves help create images of what's inside the uterus.
This ultrasound will help check the amniotic fluid levels, the baby’s size and movement. Active movements are necessary to increase the heart rate and also check the baby’s muscle tone. If all goes well, the test should not take more than 30 minutes. If they can’t get a good look or have some concerns, they may take a little more time to be sure of the findings.
The test is quite reliable in identifying potential issues with the baby’s development or the amniotic fluid levels. The results may not be accurate in the following cases:
● If you are on corticosteroids for some health issue, it can increase the baby’s breathing while decreasing their movements for a few days after the shot.
● If the test is performed after the 32-week mark, the results are not very reliable.
● If the baby is asleep or does not move much, you may have to repeat the test at a later date.
● Similarly, if the baby is very active, measuring the baby’s resting heart rate can be tricky. You may have to repeat the test at a later date.
The BPP test is noninvasive and uses safe technology to monitor the baby and the uterus. It will not harm or inconvenience the baby.
If you have a history of stillbirth or other complications with your earlier pregnancies, it is necessary to monitor the baby closely. If the doctor has any reason to believe the baby may be in distress, a BPP test can help. Doing the test does not necessarily mean your baby is at risk. So, relax and get the test done to confirm everything is on track.
The biophysical profile is performed after the completion of 28 weeks and before the 32nd week of pregnancy.
No, the BPP is a non-invasive test that uses safe technology. It causes no harm to the baby or the mother in any way.
Yes, since it is an ultrasound, it can be combined with a routine ultrasound. The non-stress test is done specifically for this purpose and cannot be combined with other tests.
