A nonstress test and ultrasound are used to do the profile. The test results produce a score of 0 to 10. This score helps your health care provider know more about your baby's health. If the result of a nonstress test of the baby is nonreactive, a biophysical profile may be done. Nonreactive means that the baby didn't move enough during the test or the baby's heart rate did not change the way it should have when the baby did move.
Doctors usually recommend a biophysical profile during the third trimester of high-risk pregnancies.
In some high-risk pregnancies a biophysical profile is done once or twice a week. The goal of this testing is to detect problems as early as possible. Your doctor will discuss the procedure with you and give you any special instructions. A nonstress fetal heart rate test is usually performed first. Then detailed ultrasound scanning is done.