US PREGNANCY GROWTH SCAN WITH BPP DOPPLER*

A US Pregnancy Growth Scan with BPP Doppler uses high-frequency sound waves to create live, real-time images of your baby, placenta, and amniotic fluid. It's a multipurpose scan that provides a holistic view of fetal health. Let's break down its three essential components:

• Growth Scan: This is the foundational part of the test. The sonographer takes specific measurements of your baby's head, abdomen, and thigh bone. These measurements are used to estimate your baby's weight and compare their growth rate against standard charts for their gestational age. It helps confirm that your baby is growing steadily and as expected.
• Biophysical Profile (BPP): Think of the BPP as a "fetal physical exam." It's a scoring system that assesses five key markers of your baby's well-being over a 30-minute period. A high score is a strong indicator that the baby is healthy and not under any stress. This is often referred to specifically as the fetal biophysical profile test.
• Doppler Ultrasound: This specialized part of the ultrasound measures blood flow in crucial blood vessels. The Doppler assessment checks the circulation in the umbilical cord (which carries nutrients and oxygen from the placenta to the baby) and in the baby's brain. This helps confirm that the placenta is functioning correctly and a sufficient supply of oxygen and nutrients is reaching your baby.

Types of Fetal Well-being Scans

The US Pregnancy Growth Scan with BPP Doppler is a comprehensive combination scan. However, depending on your specific clinical situation, your doctor might order these components separately. For example, if the only concern is fetal size, a simple growth scan might be sufficient. If growth is normal but there's a concern about placental function, a standalone Doppler study or a fetal biophysical profile test might be recommended. At Cadabams Diagnostics, we perform the exact scan prescribed by your doctor to answer their specific clinical questions.

During the procedure, our skilled sonographers will assess several key parameters to build a complete picture of your baby's health:

Growth Measurements

• Head Circumference (HC): The measurement around your baby's head.
• Abdominal Circumference (AC): The measurement around your baby's abdomen, which is a key indicator of growth and nutrient storage.
• Femur Length (FL): The length of the thigh bone.
• These measurements are plotted on a graph and used to calculate the Estimated Fetal Weight (EFW).

Biophysical Profile (BPP) Score (out of 10)

• Fetal Breathing Movements: Short, rhythmic movements of the chest wall.
• Gross Body Movements: At least three distinct movements of the body or limbs.
• Fetal Tone: Observing the baby extend and flex a limb or open and close a hand.
• Amniotic Fluid Volume (AFI): Measuring the amount of fluid in four pockets around the baby.
• Non-Stress Test (NST): This is sometimes the fifth component, where the baby's heart rate is monitored to see if it accelerates with movement. If the four ultrasound markers are normal, the NST is often omitted (for a modified BPP score out of 8).

Doppler Assessment

This involves measuring the speed and pattern of blood flow in key arteries, including the Umbilical Artery, Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) in the brain, and sometimes the Uterine Arteries.

The primary goal of this scan is to ensure your baby is healthy and safe. Your doctor may recommend it for several important reasons:

• To monitor fetal growth and rule out or manage Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR).
• To assess overall fetal health and well-being, especially in high-risk pregnancies.
• To check amniotic fluid levels, as too little (oligohydramnios) or too much (polyhydramnios) can indicate potential issues.
• To evaluate the placenta's health and its ability to deliver adequate oxygen and nutrients to your baby.
• To investigate the cause of decreased fetal movement.

When and Who Needs to Take a Pregnancy Growth Scan with BPP & Doppler?

This comprehensive scan is most commonly performed in the third trimester of pregnancy, typically any time after 28 weeks. While it can be a routine part of late-stage pregnancy care, your doctor will specifically recommend a US Pregnancy Growth Scan with BPP Doppler if certain conditions are present or if there are specific concerns.

You may be advised to have this scan if you:

• Are past your due date.
• Have a pre-existing medical condition like maternal diabetes or high blood pressure (hypertension).
• Are carrying twins or multiples.
• Have had previous pregnancy complications.
• Have experienced decreased fetal movement.
• Are having a third trimester ultrasound for growth due to clinical concerns that the baby might be too small (Intrauterine Growth Restriction - IUGR) or too large (Macrosomia).

Benefits of Taking the Test

The information gained from a US Pregnancy Growth Scan with BPP Doppler is invaluable for both you and your healthcare team.

• Reassurance: For most parents, a normal scan provides significant peace of mind that their baby is developing well.
• Informed Decision-Making: The results help your obstetrician make crucial decisions about your pregnancy management, including the need for increased monitoring and the appropriate timing and mode of delivery.
• Early Intervention: If any issues are detected, such as poor growth or reduced blood flow, the scan allows for timely intervention. This is the core pregnancy doppler scan purpose—to identify babies who may be under stress and need to be delivered sooner.
• Delivery Planning: The scan helps plan for a safe delivery, especially if the baby is found to be very large or if there are concerns about placental function.

Illnesses Diagnosed with US Pregnancy Growth Scan

This scan is a diagnostic tool that helps identify or monitor several conditions that can affect fetal well-being, including:

• Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR): When a baby is measuring smaller than expected for their gestational age.
• Macrosomia: When a baby is significantly larger than average, which can have implications for delivery.
• Fetal Distress or Compromise: The BPP and Doppler results can indicate if a baby is not coping well inside the womb.
• Placental Insufficiency: When the placenta is not functioning adequately, leading to reduced flow of oxygen and nutrients.
• Oligohydramnios or Polyhydramnios: Abnormally low or high levels of amniotic fluid.

Preparing for your scan at Cadabams Diagnostics is simple.

• Instructions: Unlike early pregnancy scans, a full bladder is generally not required for a third-trimester scan. The baby and uterus are large enough to be seen clearly without it.
• Clothing: We recommend wearing comfortable, loose-fitting, two-piece clothing (like a top and pants/skirt). This allows for easy access to your abdomen without you having to change completely.
• Food/Drink: There are no specific dietary restrictions. You can eat and drink as you normally would before your appointment.

Pre-requisites

To ensure we have all the necessary information, please remember the following:

• A doctor's referral or prescription for the scan is required.
• Please bring along any reports and images from your previous pregnancy scans (e.g., your NT scan or [Link to: Anomaly Scan] page). This allows our radiologist to compare results and assess the growth pattern over time.

Best Time to Take the Pregnancy Growth Scan

The scan is performed based on the clinical judgment of your obstetrician, usually any time from 28 weeks of gestation up until delivery.

Eligibility

Any pregnant woman can undergo a US Pregnancy Growth Scan with BPP Doppler when it is recommended by her healthcare provider. There are no medical conditions that would prevent you from having this safe and important test.

Procedure for Taking a Pregnancy Growth Scan: What to Expect

We want you to feel comfortable and informed from the moment you arrive. Here is a step-by-step guide on what to expect during a fetal growth scan at Cadabams Diagnostics.

• Step 1: You will be greeted by our friendly staff and led to the ultrasound room. Our sonographer will help you get comfortable lying on your back or slightly tilted to one side on an examination table.
• Step 2: A clear, water-based gel will be applied to your abdomen. This gel feels warm and helps eliminate any air pockets between the probe and your skin, ensuring the best possible images.
• Step 3: The sonographer will gently press a small, handheld device called a transducer against your abdomen and move it around. You will not feel any pain, only light pressure.
• Step 4: As the sonographer moves the transducer, images of your baby will appear on a monitor. The sonographer will be focused on capturing clear views to take precise measurements of the head, abdomen, and limbs, assessing fetal movement, measuring amniotic fluid, and evaluating blood flow with the Doppler.
• Duration: The entire scan typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes. The duration can vary depending on your baby’s position—if your baby is in a difficult position for measurements, it may take a little longer.

For more information on all our prenatal services, please visit our [Link to: Obstetric Ultrasound] page.

Caution Before Taking the Test

There are no significant cautions to be aware of before this non-invasive test. However, if you have any areas of tenderness or soreness on your abdomen, please let the sonographer know before they begin so they can be extra gentle in that area.