Biophysical Profile (BPP)

Fetal Biophysical Profile

How It Is Done

Most often, a biophysical profile (BPP) is performed by an ultrasound technologist. However, it may be done by an obstetrician or a radiologist. A BPP may be done in your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic.

A non-stress test with electronic fetal heart monitoring and a fetal ultrasound may be done at the same time as a biophysical profile. See an illustration of fetal ultrasound and external monitoring. A modified biophysical profile combines a non-stress test and measurements of the amniotic fluid.

Non-stress test

External fetal heart monitoring records your baby's heart rate while your baby is moving and not moving. It may be done just before a fetal ultrasound.

External monitoring is done using two flat devices (sensors) held in place with elastic belts on your belly. One of these uses reflected sound waves (ultrasound) to keep track of your baby's heart rate; the other measures the duration of your contractions. The sensors are connected to a machine that records the information. Your baby's heartbeat may be heard as a beeping sound or printed out on a chart.

If your baby moves or you have a contraction, you will be asked to push a button on the machine. Your baby's heart rate is recorded and compared to the record of movement or your contractions. This test usually lasts about 30 minutes.

Fetal ultrasound

Often you do not need to remove your clothes for the ultrasound test; you can lift your shirt and push down the waistband of your skirt or pants. If you are wearing a dress, you will be given a cloth or paper covering to use during the test.

• You may need to have a full bladder. You may be asked to drink 4 to 6 glasses of liquid, usually juice or water, about an hour before the test. A full bladder helps transmit sound waves and pushes the intestines out of the way of the uterus. This makes the ultrasound picture clearer.
  • You will not be able to urinate until the test is over. However, tell the ultrasound technologist if your bladder is so full that you are in pain.
  • If you cannot drink enough liquid, your bladder may be filled with sterile water through a thin flexible tube (urinary catheter) inserted through your urethra.
  • If an ultrasound is done during the later part of pregnancy, a full bladder may not be needed. The growing fetus will push the intestines out of the way.
• You will lie on your back on a padded examination table. If you become short of breath or light-headed while lying on your back, your upper body may be raised or you may be turned on your side.
• A gel will be spread on your abdomen.
• A small, hand-held instrument called a transducer will be pressed against the gel on your skin and moved across your abdomen several times. You may watch the monitor to see the picture of the fetus during the test.

When the test is finished, the gel is cleaned off of your skin. You can urinate as soon as the test is done. Transabdominal ultrasound takes about 30 to 60 minutes.

Ultrasound technologists are trained to gather images of your fetus but cannot tell you whether it looks normal or not. Your health professional will share this information with you after the ultrasound images have been reviewed by a radiologist or perinatologist.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: September 5, 2006
Medical Review:	Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
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