NST and BPP...What are they?

[schoolmom07]

Can anyone tell me what the BPP is? I have kind of figured out what the NST is but I am 40+5 days tomorrow and am sure they will mention this stuff to me. Also, in your opinions, what would be the best method of induction. I have read that stripping your membranes actually has been proven to not work, is really painful and accomplishes nothing so I don't want that. I have had to have the Pitocin before because doctors gave Stadol with my first dd and it stopped my labor. So they broke out the Pitocin. It was rather quick from what I remember about bringing on the contractions again but again, painful...And I don't want a c-section but am worried that something may be wrong which is why I have gone over my due date. LMP would have put me at 9/10-9/11 but U/S put me at 9/17 so either way I go I am still over...As if that weren't bad enough, first dd is really sick with what I have been told is a viral infection but infection can't be found anywhere. She is running a fever as of last night- 100.8, earlier today-102.7 and the only way I can get it down is with Motrin. I gave Tylenol at one point but it didn't bring it down at all. I only gave any meds as a way to get her head to quit hurting. She is 7, doctor told me that I really need to stay away from her since I am due to deliver at any time-um...how??? She only cries and says she doesn't want her daddy, just mommy. So ladies, what now? Oh, and our loverly family that swore they would help us with her, when called to ask if they can watch her so dh and I can go to our doctor's appt. to discuss induction options and possibly other tests that may need to be done--have backed out saying they have other things they have to do...WTH? So now, we have to figure out how we are going to deliver this baby girl with a sick baby girl at home with us. And we are supposed to deliver in a hospital (my choice all along) but hospitals are not too keen on having a sick child in L&D, nor am I simply because that is not something I planned on doing anyway.

[~Caitlyn~]

Oh no...

I don't know very much about the BPP/NST... except that the NST they check the baby's heartrate accels/decels... and the BPP is a Bio Physical Profile (I think) and I was told by my mw that they use an ultrasound to check amniotic fluid levels and breathing patterns (even though they are really practice breathing patterns)... they can also take a look at the placenta to make sure its still healthy and not getting too old... and of course the baby's posistion, and make some guestimate at size.

I was replying to this post though because I had my hospital tour on Saturday... and the hospitals here in AZ are not letting children under 12 in.. which I guess they do every flu season, but started early this year due to h1N1... not even siblings at my hospital... anyways, I only mention this because you may want to check if she will be able to visit at all...

Also - I was under the impression that stripping the membranes was less of an intervention cascade starter then some of the alt's... like pitocin. My mw also mentioned prostigilin (sp?) gels... its a hormone that can soften things... I've been wondering about this too... so, I'm curious to see what others post

[schoolmom07]

Thank you, Caitlyn for your response. I have so much going on right now that I just want to make the right decision...an informed decision. My hubbie is going to have to sit with DD1 out in the car and won't be able to be with me when I am seen tomorrow as they will NOT allow a child (esp. a sick one) in the exam rooms at our OB/GYN due to the at risk patients. Can't blame them but now I am going to have to be in charge of hearing all the info and sometimes it is hard to catch it all.

[2boyzmama]

Does your daughter not go to school? What about friends...can you send out a plea for help to her friend's moms so someone can keep her for you during your appt? That at least gets you through the appt, then you can start thinking about what to do with her during labor. Neighbors, friends, family... And I wouldn't stress yourself trying to stay away from her, it's highly likely that you've already been exposed to whatever bug she has, so let your body build those antibodies which will serve you AND the new baby well through the cold/flu season. Don't be afraid of germs, use them to strengthen your immune system! Your daughter wants her mommy, it's okay to snuggle up to her!

A BPP is basically an ultrasound where they will monitor baby's movements, breathing patterns, look for baby to swallow amniotic fluid, check fluid levels, check placenta function, blood flow through the cord, etc. It's not invasive, as long as you are not against ultrasounds.

I would not hesitate to agree to a NST and/or BPP if it buys you more time before an induction. If they start talking induction, definitely ask a whole bunch of questions...what are the risks of continuing the pregnancy? Why do you think it's safer to induce? What are the risks of inducing? What methods of induction are my options, and what are the risks of each? What other tests can we do before resorting to an induction? (more NSTs/BPPs?)