Question

how do you measure fundal heights?

Answer 1

Ans) Fundal height is generally defined as the distance from the pubic bone to the top of the uterus measured in centimeters.

- After 20 weeks of pregnancy, the fundal height measurement often matches the number of weeks of pregnancy.

Changes in fundal height in a normal pregnancy

At about three months (13-14 weeks), the top of the uterus is usually just above the mother’s pubic bone (where her pubic hair begins).

At about five months (20-22 weeks), the top of the uterus is usually right at the mother’s bellybutton (umbilicus or navel).

At about eight to nine months (36-40 weeks), the top of the uterus is almost up to the bottom of the mother’s ribs.

Babies may drop lower in the weeks just before birth. You can look back at Figure 7.1 in Study Session 7 to see a diagram of fundal height at various weeks of gestation.

- To measure the fundal height

To feel the uterus, have the mother lie on her back with some support under her head and knees. Explain to her what you are going to do (and why) before you begin touching her abdomen. Your touch should be firm but gentle. Walk your fingers up the side of her abdomen until you feel the top of her abdomen under the skin. It will feel like a hard ball. You can feel the top by curving your fingers gently into the abdomen.

- With the woman lying on her back, begin by finding the top of the uterus with your fingers. Then see how many months pregnant the woman is by comparing the number of fingers (each line is about the width of two fingers).

To measure fundal height using the finger method:

- If the top of the uterus is below the bellybutton, measure how many fingers below the bellybutton it is. If the top of the uterus is above the bellybutton, measure how many fingers above the bellybutton it is.

- If the baby is growing normally, by how many finger-widths should the uterus rise in the second trimester (3-6 months of pregnancy, or 15-27 completed weeks of gestation)