Biophysical profiles and NSTs....

Hey all. In a few short weeks I'm going to be starting weekly Biophysical Profiles and NSTs. From what I understand the NST is where they put the little flat monitors on your belly with a belt and you basically just lay there for an hour. Is that right?

What about the Biophysical Profile? Is that an ultrasound? If so, is it similar to the growth scans we have done every 4 weeks where they measure their leg bones, heads and abdomens?

How long does this entire process normally take and what can I expect? Do I need to do anything special to prepare for these?

Thanks ladies!

 

biophysicals are ultrasounds - they usually are checking for certain kinds of movement like practice breathing, etc. when i went, they also used to take growth measurements as well. i would just ask at your first appointment what things they are looking for. i found they usually took a while - or maybe it just felt that way because it was awfully uncomfortable laying on my back! when it was too uncomfortable, they would have me roll to my side but sometimes they weren't able to see what they needed in that position.

NSTs are where they strap two external fetal heart rate monitors to your belly + one extra monitor to track your uterine activity (contractions). when i did them, they also had me keep track of babies' movements. i had a little hand control that i would press whenever baby A moved & i would verbally let the technician know whenever baby B moved. they were looking for correlations between baby's movement & an increase in their heart rate. in my case, they were looking for a "favorable strip" which sometimes happened within 5 minutes & other times could take up to or more than an hour. i only hit the hour mark once & they had to call in to the OB to see if they wanted me to go in for further observation (i was on in-home NSTs because of being on bedrest for PTL). but after the nurse & OB chatted, they decided it was fine. i found that drinking a bit of juice right before an NST helped with getting a favorable strip sooner. if babies are sleepy or not moving much, the whole process takes longer.

i would also ask your OB if there's anything else you need to prepare.

 

Welcome to the fun world of way too many doctors appointments. I've been doing the NST/BPP thing for three weeks now (we're 30 weeks 6 days). Here is a good link explaining what they do and what they are looking for. http://www.americanpregnancy.org/prenataltesting/biophysicalprofile.html

Time wise, it depends on how active your little ones are when they go in, but I would allot at least an hour and a half. During the NST, if your babies move, and their heart rates maintain the appropriate acceleration for the appropriate duration (based on their gestational age), you get to leave. If they don't move, they may try buzzing them to get them to wake up, or they may do alternative assessments.

The ultrasound is not as comprehensive as your four week ultrasound... but the time it takes depends on who does it. The nurse who has been doing mine is enamored with our twins and she takes FOREVER - but then again I haven't tired of staring at their images either. The only one who seems bothered by the time it takes is DH, who has to rush off to work after we're done.

My suggestion for preparing for your NST:
1) use the restroom before you begin - a full bladder can give the false impression you are having contractions
2) do something to get your kiddos moving - eat something sweet, rub them awake, whatever

Good luck.

 

Ditto on what the pp said. My only new thought (and one I didn't prepare for) - for the last several weeks these tests became pretty uncomfortable to mildly miserable. I carried until 37.5 weeks, so that was probably a contributor. But, I think being on your back for so long after early-30 weeks is no fun. Best part is the babies at the end (and the end will come - promise!).

 

You've gotten good info so far. Ditto on the BPP and NST being uncomfortable if you're on your back. I actually threw up a couple times towards the end. Take a book or magazine to read during NSTs. OJ is a good way to get a favorable strip. I also kept a container of m&ms beside my bed and would pop a handful if the babies were too quiet. I had 3 NSTs a day and 3 BPP a week for the last 8 weeks while on hospital bed rest and only went through half a bag (big bag) of M&Ms though, so it doesn't take much!

 

Thank you to everyone for your answers! I think that pretty much clears it up. I'm going to make sure to ask for at least a blanket or a pillow to roll up under one side because at our growth scan last week I almost passed out. I got really hot all of the sudden and was dizzy. They got me to sit up and got a fan on me and I recovered pretty quickly but it happened again as soon as I laid back down for them to finish. Sooooo.....from now on they said just to remind them that I don't need to be lying flat on my back anymore.

 

I bring a small pillow to put behind my lower back during the ultrasounds and remind them I need to be on my side during the NSTs. Only way I survive either set of tests. Otherwise I am lightheaded and my back spasms. They need to do the tests, but you shouldn't have to suffer while they collect their info.