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| |    The Biophysical Profile by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. reviewed by Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P. The Biophysical Profile (or BPP) is a fancy name for a prolonged ultrasound, sometimes lasting over a half-hour, that monitors the baby's movements in utero. In the third trimester, many practitioners use the BPP if they want to more closely evaluate how well the baby is doing and would like more information than is provided by a non-stress test. Sometimes a non-stress test is done the same day. What to expect Generally speaking, the most uncomfortable part of any ultrasound is if you are required to have a full bladder. For the BPP, you do not need to have a very full bladder, so there is usually no discomfort. The test uses ultrasound to look at fetal movement, fetal body tone, fetal breathing efforts (which are a good sign), and amniotic fluid volume. Each of the four parameters is given a score of either zero or two points and then totaled up; if the results of the non-stress test were good, another two points is added. A high score (8-10) correlates with a fetus in good condition, while a low score (0-4) often indicates a fetus who might be better off receiving appropriate care outside the uterus. A score of 6 usually requires a repeat test within 12 to 24 hours. Sometimes a modified BPP in which only a non-stress test and an ultrasound for amniotic fluid volume are done. If both of these are normal, some experts believe it is as reassuring as the full BPP, which is a lot more time-consuming. Your practitioner will recommend which test--or set of tests--is needed in your case, if any. In general, healthy pregnant women with normal fetal growth do not need special testing unless they go a week or so beyond the due date.
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