Biophysical Profile and Non-Stress Test

[Anonymous]

I just came back from my 32 week checkup and the doctor wants to do a biophysical profile and non-stress test in 2 weeks. I have been having ultasounds every 2 weeks due to high amniotic fluid. When they measured the baby today, they said he weighs 5 lbs 5 ozs, which is a 34 week measurement. She said the hearbeat is fine and asked if the baby is moving as it should. I am now really concerned because we had a stillborn last year at 20 weeks and am wondering if there is something wrong with this baby as well. Has anyone else had a biophysical profile and non-stress test? How did it turn out? I hate that this will worry me for the next 2 weeks!

[Anonymous]

I had both because of a big baby. They were able to tell if my placenta was providing enough oxygen for my baby, among other things. I don't think the fact that you're having them means anything necessarily bad (if that's what you're worried about it). All was fine. It's just a much more comprehensive test.

[Anonymous]

i've been having BPP's every week since 24 wks and u/s and NST's for the last 3 wks, i'm 36.5 wks now and hoping for my repeat c-section next week...dont worry, BPP's are painless and very common for anyone who has had some high risk issues. They will be able to get a good picture of baby, placenta and amniotic fluid. best of luck

[Anonymous]

I had frequent BPPs during the third trimester of my last pregnancy. The test, which is just like an ultrasound, measures the baby's heart rate, muscle tone, movement and breathing, and I think they also measure the amniotic fluid level. It's totally non-invasive and mine were all good. As for your baby's weight--I believe there is a 20% margin of error when ultrasounds are used to predict the weight of a baby in the third trimester. At one point I had a tech and a doctor measure my baby and the weights they came up with differed by about 7 oz.

[Anonymous]

I'm so sorry for your previous loss.

I had a BPP toward the end of my pregnancy, and as the PP said, it's just an ultrasound in which they measure various things, including the amniotic fluid. As for the NST, I had that every week for the last few weeks of my pregnancy. I thought this was standard, though it may have been because I was considered high-risk because of my age (41), even though I had a problem-free pregnancy. Anyway, it certainly gave me peace of mind to know the baby was moving as he should, and it's not a big deal--you're just hooked up to the monitor and you wait. And we had a totally healthy little boy (7 lbs., 12 oz. at birth) who is no longer so little at 10 months. They were telling me the baby was going to be big, and that I "might have to have a C-section," and they were wrong about his size, and I did not have a C-section.

I can understand your concern, given your history, but it may simply be that they just schedule this at 34 weeks for anyone considered high-risk. Best of luck to you!