Verified By Apollo Gynecologist July 12, 2022
2685The biophysical profile, or BPP, is a prenatal test to monitor your baby’s health. It is a combination of non-invasive diagnostic tests usually performed after the 28th week of pregnancy. The test doesn’t cause any physical harm to you or your baby. The objective is to support women with high-risk pregnancies and prevent potential harm to the baby for a successful delivery.
The BPP test is performed to prevent pregnancy loss and enable early detection of low oxygen supply to the baby to prevent permanent damage. The test is mainly recommended for women whose pregnancies are considered high-risk and could cause severe complications or miscarriage.
The doctor might also recommend a BPP test for certain conditions to check its impact on the baby, such as:
A BPP test is performed to offer reassurance about your baby’s health. It usually poses no physical risk to you or your baby. Although it is a non-invasive test, it can lead to anxiety or stress. Also, a BPP might not detect an existing problem or indicate a false problem, leading to unnecessary test recommendations or early delivery.
Also, keep in mind that it’s not always clear that the test can improve pregnancy outcomes.
A BPP result may be affected if a pregnant woman is treated with corticosteroids to speed the baby’s lung maturity, as it can lead to reduced fetal breathing rate and movement for a few days. In some cases, the test may need to be done again for clearer results.
A BPP test is an outpatient test of short duration and doesn’t require any special preparations. The test is performed in a clinic or hospital and takes about 30 minutes, after which you can go home.
BPP test is a combination of an ultrasound examination with a nonstress test.
The results of the BPP test are generated immediately after the test. Each area that’s evaluated is given a score of 0 or 2 points, depending on whether specific criteria were met. Any component that does not satisfy the criteria receives a zero. Each score is added to get a total score.
The criteria for evaluating and scoring are:
Generally, a score of 8 to 10 points is considered normal. The doctor may recommend retest within the next 24 hours if the score is between 6 and 8. A score of 4 points or lower may indicate problems related to pregnancy. The doctor may conduct further testing to examine the baby’s health or recommend early or immediate delivery.
BPP is a noninvasive and short test, unlike the several other tests you’ll likely have during pregnancy. The test helps determine your baby’s well-being. Discuss the results of your biophysical profile with your doctor to understand what they might mean for you and your baby.
A few tests are similar to the BPP test, such as prenatal abdominal ultrasound scan, amniotic fluid index (AFI), deep pocket measurement, a nonstress test (alone), and amniotic fluid volume assessment.
Generally, the BPP test is done in the last trimester or after the 28th week of pregnancy. However, if the doctor observes any pregnancy-related risks, he may advise getting the BPP test done earlier. Some of the risks include preeclampsia, diabetes, asthma, hypertension, renal disorders, or any major problems that may lead to pregnancy loss. In such cases, the doctor may also recommend follow-up BPP tests until delivery.
No, BPP is not painful as it is a noninvasive test of short duration. However, you might feel anxious about getting a test. Lying on your back during the test may be uncomfortable. You might also feel a slight pressure in your bladder during the ultrasound when the transducer is passed over the abdomen.
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August 3, 2022