Fundal Height
What exactly is your fundal height, why is it important and how does your doctor or midwife measure it? Many first time moms hear this phrase and wonder what it means, if it is normal, and if their baby is ok.
The fundal height is the measurement from the top of your pubic bone to the top of your fundus. Your doctor or midwife will normally start measuring this during your second trimester, possibly around the 20 week mark, or when you start showing if it is later in pregnancy.
The fundal height is used to assess your baby’s health while in the womb. Your fundal height should be equal to the number of weeks you have progresses in your pregnancy. So if you are 30 weeks pregnant, your fundal height should measure around 30 centimeters. A couple of centimeters in either direction normally isn’t much of a worry. However, if you are measuring quite a bit different it could be a sign of a problem.
If you are measuring bigger than normal, it could be a sign of a baby that is also bigger than normal, or a sign that you are having twins if it was not previously discovered. If you are measuring smaller than normal, it could be a sign that your baby is not growing properly, or has perhaps stopped growing. If either of these is the case your doctor or midwife will most likely order an ultrasound to further check the health and development of your unborn baby.
As you reach the end of your pregnancy, the fundal height can become less accurate. As your baby grows and fills out your uterus, his position can change and the measurement of your fundal height can change as well. If your doctor or midwife shows no concern over your fundal height, it isn’t something that should concern you either.
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September 14th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
I’m concerned about my fundal height……This is my 5th baby and i have always measured right on track with my gestation week, never even off by .5 centimeters.This time is different. At 12 weeks i was on target, at 16 weeks i was 17.5 and at my 20 weeks i was 25. She triple checked it because she was surprised. We go for a ultrasound next week but i have been obsessing about it ever since i let her office. Should we be concerned about the baby’s health or that we are having twins?? I also forgot to mention that i had a 12 month old when i found out that i was pregnant again. I had only two periods between pregnancy because of breastfeeding…..
March 9th, 2011 at 3:34 pm
Hi , im 29 weeks pregnant on saturday the 12th march and i was at my ante-natel app today and my fundal height is 38cm. Should I be worried about this? Someone please help me as this is my first baby and I’m not sure of anything. Many thanks.
January 30th, 2011 at 9:20 am
Faith, you don’t need to worry. It means that your baby is growing well. I am sure they have already determined that you don’t have twins. Another reason you could be measuring high is there was a miscalculation of the gestational age. Assuming you are as far along as has been determined, you are doing just fine.
There are also periods of time when babies and mother’s fundal height goes through a growth spurt. Every woman and baby is different. If your doctor is not concerned, you shouldn’t be. In my second pregnancy I measured 2 cm shorter than my pregnancy length for several weeks. Then my fundus grew 4 cm within a week so I measured a little higher than average.
You are doing great!
December 14th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Went to Dr apt today, measured my uterus and said it was 35 cm. I’m only 32 weeks. Two weeks ago my uterus measured 31 cm. Should I be concerned?