what is the difference between the non stress test and the biophysical profile? are they measuring different things?
BPP...done by u/s, they check fluids, movements, and practice breathing on both babies. NST...hooked up to the monitors, which check for movement, decels/accels in heartrates of both babies. Also monitors contractions. Both assess the well-being of the babies, but the BPP is more accurate.
A non stress test is when they monitor the babies activties, heartrate, and monitor contractions, etc. And a biophysical profile is when the Dr. Measures the baby, look at the babies body parts, check amniotic fluid, and stuff of that nature. I have both every week now since I was 32 weeks.
I wanted to add, also, that a BPP is different from the growth u/s because they do not measure the babies on those visits.
No, they do not measure at a BPP. With a BPP the babies are scored so many points for fluid, practicing breathing, moving (kicking), flexing body, and I think blood flow through the umbilical cord. On the day I had the girls, Claire did not pass hers. She only got 4 out of 8. She practiced her breathing and her fluid levels were good, but that was it. She only kicked once, and did not flex her body. Then her blood flow through the umbilical cord was abnormal. I was so glad that I had it that day b/c we could of lost her according to my OB. April
