In order to best ensure the health of you and your baby, your doctor may recommend a variety of obstetrical ultrasound scans throughout the course of your pregnancy. Some are routine and happen only a couple of times, but others are more specific to those with high-risk pregnancies and may be repeated throughout the duration of your pregnancy. One of those crucial scans is a biophysical profile (BPP). Carnegie Imaging for Women offers important scans, like BPP, to women in Manhattan to monitor the progression and health of your pregnancy during your third trimester.

What is a Biophysical Profile (BPP)?

A biophysical profile is a test that checks the health of your baby. It traditionally has two components: an ultrasound as well as a nonstress test (NST).  The ultrasound portion measures your baby’s heart rate, body movement, muscle tone, and fetal “breathing” (fetuses don’t breathe as we do since they live underwater, but they do “practice” breathing by moving their diaphragm up and down in bursts), as well as the amniotic fluid volume.  The NST tracks your baby’s heart rate pattern (similar to how the fetus is monitored in labor).  Some doctors recommend the ultrasound BPP only, some recommend the NST only, and some recommend a combination of both.  At Carnegie Imaging we perform the ultrasound portion of the BPP, and it is a non-invasive type of ultrasound that lasts only about 30 minutes.

Who Needs to Get a BPP?

Not everyone will need a biophysical profile during their pregnancy. It is most often performed for women who have still not delivered past their due date or have high-risk pregnancies due to conditions like hypertension, preeclampsia or gestational diabetes. In some cases, women will have a BPP after they have experienced a fall or trauma, or if they experience decreased fetal movements, to make sure the baby is okay. Biophysical profile scans are typically done in the third trimester, sometimes every week leading up to delivery.

BPP Test Results

The test results from the baby’s breathing, body movement, muscle tone, and amount of amniotic fluid, are each given a number (0 or 2) that, when combined, will create a total out of eight. A score of 8 indicates a healthy baby. A score less than 8 does not mean there is definitively a problem.  Based on the exact circumstances, a score less than 8 may warrant repeat testing later in the day or in the next few days, or potentially further monitoring with an NST. In some cases, with a score less than 8, your doctor may recommend delivery.

Schedule a Consultation

If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, Carnegie Imaging for Women offers state-of-the-art care for mothers and babies at our multiple locations in Manhattan. We are dedicated to providing effective and inclusive care to all of our patients. Once you have acquired a referral for ultrasound testing, head to our website to schedule a consultation and fill out an online contact form.