Midwife Matters

There are many reasons for performing ultrsounds in the 3rd trimester.  Some of them are: Maternal age >40, diabetes, high blood pressure, baby smaller or larger than expected, maternal obesity, too much or too little amniotic fluid, past your due date, thyroid disease and many others.

What is a BPP?

A test to evaluate fetal well-being.  An ultrasound and non-stress test (NST)-monitoring of baby and uterus.

Can be done in the clinic or hospital, may take 1-2 hours.

They assess 4 areas: the amniotic fluid volume, fetal respiratory motions, fetal tone and fetal movement. 

Each area is given a score.  If it is normal it is given a 2, if abnormal a 0. 

Scoring:  8-10 is normal, fetus is healthy and normal

                   6 is equivocal and requires further testing

                   4 or less is abnormal and requires further testing and observation.

If you require further testing your midwife will discuss what in particular that testing is and what to expect.