When is fundal height measured

Why might I be measuring "small for gestational age"? You could be measuring large for gestational age if: Your due date is off. The ultrasound can help your provider figure out a more accurate due date. You have looser abdominal muscles than most women, perhaps as a result of earlier pregnancies.

You're obese , which can make it more difficult to get an accurate measurement. You have uterine fibroids. You're carrying twins or more. You have too much amniotic fluid polyhydramnios. Your baby is in a breech or other unusual position. You have a narrow pelvis. Your baby is much bigger than normal, a condition known as macrosomia.

Risk factors for macrosomia include having type 1 or type 2 diabetes before pregnancy and gestational diabetes. Or you might simply be carrying a big, perfectly healthy baby.

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Multimedia Fundal height. As is the case with fetal weight, the growth of the uterine fundus also varies with pregnancy characteristics. The easiest and most accurate way to measure the size of the uterus is to have both hands free for palpation to determine the precise location of the fundus; the beginning of the tape can be fixed there with one hand, and the other hand then takes the tape downwards for the relatively easy task of finding the top of the symphysis pubis.

Thus the recommended measurement is from the variable point to the fixed point. Symphysio-fundal height is a misnomer as it suggests that the measurement is done the wrong way around.

B3 Is it ok to start fundal height measurements from 25 weeks as we have an appointment then? The Perinatal Institute recommends starting at weeks.

Measurements can be made earlier to coincide with appointments, but the normal range gets narrower the earlier the gestational age, and this can increase the false positive rates and result in unnecessary maternal anxiety.

B4 Why does the chart start at 24 weeks when you do not recommend fundal height measurements until weeks? The chart starts at 24 weeks so that estimated fetal weights EFW can be plotted from this gestation, as some women with increased risk factors will commence serial scans from 24 weeks. B5 When there is a mal-presentation, how would you perform the fundal height measurement?

Regardless of the presentation of the fetus, the fundal height measurement should be performed using the standardised fundal height technique and referral made for an ultrasound scan if the plotted measurement does not follow the expected trajectory of growth. B6 Why is it important for the woman to have an empty bladder when measuring fundal height?

There are several reasons why this might happen:. If your fundal height is too long, your doctor will double-check the measurement and may also give you an ultrasound scan. Some babies are just longer or bigger than average. Your doctor may be more concerned if your baby is smaller than normal or is not gaining weight. A lack of weight gain in utero may lead to low birth weight. Learn about potential problems associated with rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy, including triggers, preeclampsia, premature birth, and low birth….

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