Module 7 2nd and 3rd trimester fetal well being Flashcards
What is a biophysical profile?
A non-invasive, in-utero observation of fetal well-being parameters to evaluate its state of health
Because BPP is initiated and regulated by fetal central nervous system (CNS), these parameters are indicators of what?
Indicators of functional fetal central nervous system and absence of hypoxia or acidosis
A normal BPP is considered what in terms of gestation?
Highly reassuring, with low false positive and false negative rates of antepartum fetal surveillance
Interpretation of the BPP Informs what?
Diagnosis and management plans concerning the ongoing pregnancy and timely delivery
What would be indications for antepartum testing? 9
Pregnancy related or maternal conditions related to
1. Decreased fetal movement
2. Gestational HTN
3. Diabetes (pregestational or gestational)
4. Hypertension/ preeclampsia
5. Fetal growth restrictions
6. Oligohydraminos
7. Late term or post term pregnancy
8. Multiple pregnancy
9. Maternal cyanotic heart disease
What is observed during ultrasound for BPP? 3
- Gross fetal movement
- Fetal breathing
- Fetal tone
What is a measured element of BPP during Ultrasound?
Amniotic fluid pocket
Is a non stress test something that ultrasound conducts? What is a non stress test?
- Not performed by ultrasound
- Fetal monitor heart beat test performed in labor and delivery of MFM departments
BPP scores were fashioned after what?
Apgar scores of the newborn
What was measured on the Apgar scores? 5
- HR
- Resp
- Muscle tone
- Reflex irritability
- Color
So what tests are performed on a BPP and what are their scores? 5
Ultrasound
1. Gross fetal movement (2)
2. Fetal breathing (2)
3. Fetal tone (2)
4. Amniotic fluid pocket (2)
not ultrasound
1. Fetal monitor heart beat test (2)
Total marks 10
Why is a BPP performed? 3
- To assess for fetal hypoxia
- Asphyxia
- Low oxygen levels in the fetus
For each criteria of the BPP the fetus is given a score what is it? 2
- 2 for doing the required exercise
- 0 if the element is not adequately performed
How long does the fetus have to perform the BPP test?
30 minutes
The u/s elements of the BPP exam is out of what?
8 marks
What are some fetal biophysical activities that can be identified on ultrasound? 4
- Gross body movements
- Breathing
- Fetal tone
- Amniotic fluid not an activity
What are some gross body movements?
Rolling of the fetal trunk or turning of the fetal head
What is the breathing aspect of the BPP
Just practice breathing motion, hiccups
What is the fetal tone of the BPP?
Flexion and extension of a limb, fingers etc.
What are some additional assessments included with BPP? 5
- Biometry (BPD/HC, AC, FL)
- Doppler flow of the umbilical artery
- Amniotic fluid volume (AFI can be used here as well)
- Placenta grade and position
- Cord position
What are some factors that affect BPP score? 2
- Asphyxia
- Drugs
How does asphyxia affect the BPP score? 3
Low oxygen in the fetus
1. Extent or severity will result in a low BPP score
2. Duration or length of time fetus has low oxygen
3. frequency of the insult
What are some drugs that affect the BPP score? 3
- Sedatives (barbiturates- opium)
- Analgesics (morphine)
- Anesthetics (halothane)
Activity centers in the fetal brain that mature first are last to be affected by what?
Low oxygenation
The area in the fetal brain that controls fetal tone develops when?
First and is the last activity to disappear with worsening asphyxia
The fetal heart rate reactivity centers matures when?
About 28 weeks and is one of the first to be affected by asphyxia (this is monitored by the NST)
What should be assessed first for BPP
Fetal lie
If fetus isn’t practicing breathing what should we do?
Continue on with biometry. Keep checking for breathing between biometry
What is fetal breathing movements? How essential are these movements? What does it increase with?
- Spontaneous movements of the diaphragm in a cephalad- caudad direction
- Considered essential for fetal lung growth and preparation for extrauterine breathing
- Incidence increases with gestational age
How would we score a 2 on the fetal breathing movements?
30 seconds of continuous breathing is required
A score of zero on the fetal breathing movements is not a reliable indicator of what?
Poor wellness, as the fetus may have long episodes of apnea and still be normal
What is the most frequent element that we do not see the fetus perform during the BPP?
The fetal breathing movements
If we see fetal breathing as soon as the BPP exam starts what should we do?
Measure it as this tends to be when the fetus will be most active
What are some obvious signs of fetal breathing?
Abdomen heaving in and out
What is the Pitfall of the Fetal breathing movement portion of the BPP exam?
Mom’s breathing causes movement- make sure its the baby breathing
How many gross body movements must be seen in 30 minutes to give a score of 2?
3 or more
A gross body movement is what? 2
- When either the head or trunk moves (rolls)
- Large limb movements, face/hand movements swallowing also count
How will a fetus score a 2/2 on the fetus tone test? 6
One movement of
1. Arm
2. Leg
3. Spine
4. Finger/ Hand
5. Toe/ Foot
6. A yawn
What is an amniotic fluid pocket normally?
> 2x2 cm is normal and would get a 2/2 score
What should we not include in the amniotic fluid pocket assessment?
Umbilical cord
When would a patient under go a NST?
If the BPP score was <8
NST are performed where?
In labor and delivery departments in the hospital on maternal fetal medicine clinics
A 6/8 because of absent fetal breathing is not as concerning why? 2
- A NST would be recommended
- Some sites would not recommend NST if the biometry (growth of the fetus) is normal
A 6/8 because of absent amniotic fluid or 0/2 for amniotic fluid is concerning why? 2
- Pregnancy is term or post dates delivery is recommended
- If pregnancy is preterm, bedrest is recommended and follow up BPP in a few days to see if the amniotic fluid level is improving
What is Amniotic fluid index?
Method of assessing the amount of amniotic fluid in the amniotic sac around the fetus
AFI is also performed when?
BPP scan
Does AFI scores affect BPP scores?
No
The amniotic fluid levels help in the assessment of what?
Placental function
Amniotic fluid levels can also be affected by what? 2
- Maternal factors: Diabetes or high blood pressure
- Fetal: Renal abnormalities or swallowing difficulties
If AFI is <5cm them it is termed what?
Olgiohydraminos
If AFI >20 to 25cm then it is termed what?
polyhydraminos
Amniotic fluid volume increases until when?
34 weeks then slowly diminishes
When looking for AFI, we should measure how?
Vertical depth perpendicular to the floor
Does the sequence of the quadrants matter when looking for AFI?
No
Some machines will indicate the location of the fluid how?
RLQ, LLQ, RUQ, LUQ
What is a NST (non-stress test)?
A tracing of the fetal heart is taken via electrodes placed on the maternal abdomen over the area of the fetal heart
Is the NST a U/S test?
No
Who performs the NST?
Obstetrician or a fetal assessment nurse
What is a good indication during a NST?
An increased heart rate with fetal motion, with a quick return to base line once activity stops is a good indication of fetal well being
For a NST what is carefully assessed?
The time the heart takes to return to normal
Signs of fetal distress during NST are what? 3
- Slow response of the fetal heart to return to normal
- No change in fetal heart rate with activity
- Heart rate decelerations
When assessing the NST what do we wait for?
At least 2 episodes of acceleration of >15 b/m and at least 15 seconds duration associated with fetal movement in a 30 minute period
If the NST criteria is met what is the score? what if its not met?
2 if met and 0 if not met
Which BPP results are considered normal?
8/10 or 10/10
Which BPP scans would warrant us to repeat scan?
6/10 would warrant us to scan in 24 hours
What are two high risk maternal factors or diseases?
- High blood pressure
- Type 1 Diabetes
What happens if the BPP is 4/10, 2/10, or 0/10?
consideration for delivery
BPP is not performed prior to how many weeks? why?
28 weeks, the score alone is not the indicator of fetal wellbeing
What re some factors that might affect amniotic fluid? 2
- Premature rupture of membranes (PROM)
- Placental insufficiency
What results in Placental insufficiency?
- Placental function is impaired from poor vascularization or impaired blood fetal growth resulting in a poor outcome
The presence of normal biophysical activity indicates what?
That the CNS area that controls that activity is functioning well
What is another tool we use normally for BPP?
Fetal doppler
Fetal Doppler access the feto-placental circulation how?
In a non invasive manner
Poor doppler results can help detect what? 3
- IUGR
- Twin to Twin transfusion
- Fetal growth compromise due to maternal hypertension/ IDDM
What is the most common vessel to doppler?
Umbilical artery
Low or absent diastolic flow indicates what?
Difficulty for fetus to return blood to placenta or a high resistance bed
What are some reasons for Absent diastolic flow? 2
Placenta insufficiency or high vascular resistance
What can reversed diastolic flow indicate? What does it mean?
- Very worrisome
- Can indicate immediate delivery depending on gestational age
What are some factors affecting doppler waveform? 3
- Fetal respirations
- Heart rate
- Blood viscosity (hematocrit) in severely anemic fetuses
Umbilical Artery flow becomes less resistive as what happens?
Pregnancy advances in normal states
as the vessels get larger as the pregnancy progresses the blood flow in these vessels are less resistive
Although not a criteria for BPP, the placenta should be assessed for what?
Abruption and grade
A grade 3 placenta is associated with what?
Abnormal fetal heart rates and increased risk of abruption
A grade 3 placenta is a normal what?
Aging placenta in the late 3rd trimester. Seeing a grade 3 earlier in pregnancy is concerning.
When do we normally see grade 3 placentas? (What habits cause it)
mothers who smoke
What is this an example of?
Grade 3 placenta
What is this an example of?
Grade 1 Placenta