Difference between revisions of "Measure Fundal Height"
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#*Being at the doctor's office also gives you the added benefit of being able to immediately discuss the results of your fundal height test with your doctor, should anything out of the ordinary be found. | #*Being at the doctor's office also gives you the added benefit of being able to immediately discuss the results of your fundal height test with your doctor, should anything out of the ordinary be found. | ||
#Empty your bladder before measuring. Depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy, your doctor may ask you to empty your bladder. | #Empty your bladder before measuring. Depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy, your doctor may ask you to empty your bladder. | ||
| − | #*The reason for this is that starting at around the 17-week mark, a full bladder can cause the fundal height measurement to off by a matter of centimeters.<ref>http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/pregnancy-week-by-week/expert-answers/fundal-height/faq-20057962</ref> | + | #*The reason for this is that starting at around the 17-week mark, a full bladder can cause the fundal height measurement to off by a matter of centimeters.<ref name="rf1">http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/pregnancy-week-by-week/expert-answers/fundal-height/faq-20057962</ref> |
#Change into a hospital gown. Fundal height measurements are fairly precise - a discrepancy of only a centimeter or two can make the difference between a "normal" measurement and an "abnormal one". | #Change into a hospital gown. Fundal height measurements are fairly precise - a discrepancy of only a centimeter or two can make the difference between a "normal" measurement and an "abnormal one". | ||
#*Clothes, belts, and so on can cause small differences in your fundal height, so they are typically removed before measuring. Changing into a hospital gown minimizes the possibility of an inaccurate result and additionally offers your doctor the ability to easily access all areas needed for a good fundal height measurement. | #*Clothes, belts, and so on can cause small differences in your fundal height, so they are typically removed before measuring. Changing into a hospital gown minimizes the possibility of an inaccurate result and additionally offers your doctor the ability to easily access all areas needed for a good fundal height measurement. | ||
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#Allow the doctor to measure your fundal height. After the palpation, the doctor will hold a metric-based measurement tape at the top of the uterus (or fundus) and stretch it along the top of your pregnant uterus, measuring along the longitudinal axis. | #Allow the doctor to measure your fundal height. After the palpation, the doctor will hold a metric-based measurement tape at the top of the uterus (or fundus) and stretch it along the top of your pregnant uterus, measuring along the longitudinal axis. | ||
#* This means that the doctor will measure from the highest point of your uterus to the top of your symphysis pubis (the area located below your belly button where your pubic bone begins). The doctor will record your fundal height measurement in centimeters and enter it on your chart. | #* This means that the doctor will measure from the highest point of your uterus to the top of your symphysis pubis (the area located below your belly button where your pubic bone begins). The doctor will record your fundal height measurement in centimeters and enter it on your chart. | ||
| − | #* As a very general rule, a woman's fundal height should be within 1 to 3 centimeters of the baby's gestational age in weeks. For example, for a woman who's been pregnant for 20 weeks, a fundal height of about 17-23 cm is expected.<ref>http://www.babyzone.com/pregnancy/fetal-development/fundal-height-measurements_71399</ref> | + | #* As a very general rule, a woman's fundal height should be within 1 to 3 centimeters of the baby's gestational age in weeks. For example, for a woman who's been pregnant for 20 weeks, a fundal height of about 17-23 cm is expected.<ref name="rf2">http://www.babyzone.com/pregnancy/fetal-development/fundal-height-measurements_71399</ref> |
#Get dressed and discuss your results with your doctor. After giving you a chance to dress, your doctor will come back and talk to you. At this point, if your fundal height measurement was abnormal, you'll probably discuss the possibility of additional tests. | #Get dressed and discuss your results with your doctor. After giving you a chance to dress, your doctor will come back and talk to you. At this point, if your fundal height measurement was abnormal, you'll probably discuss the possibility of additional tests. | ||
#If your fundal height measurement is abnormal, schedule a follow-up. If your measurements do not fall within the normal parameters for your projected due date, this is not always a reason to worry. However, your doctor will probably want you to follow up with a sonogram in order to find out ''why'' your measurement was outside of the normal range of values. | #If your fundal height measurement is abnormal, schedule a follow-up. If your measurements do not fall within the normal parameters for your projected due date, this is not always a reason to worry. However, your doctor will probably want you to follow up with a sonogram in order to find out ''why'' your measurement was outside of the normal range of values. | ||
#*This can be for a variety of reasons - some completely harmless, others that are cause for concern (but by no means catastrophic). | #*This can be for a variety of reasons - some completely harmless, others that are cause for concern (but by no means catastrophic). | ||
| − | #*Below are many of the causes for an abnormal fundal height:<ref | + | #*Below are many of the causes for an abnormal fundal height:<ref name="rf1" /> |
#* Being especially tall and thin or short and heavy | #* Being especially tall and thin or short and heavy | ||
#* Having a full bladder | #* Having a full bladder | ||
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#Find your pubic bone. The symphysis pubis (pubic bone) is a small, ridge-like bone on the front of the body just above the pubic area. Feel for the top of the pubic bone just below the bottom of your stomach - usually, this is near the top of where your pubic hair naturally extends. The pubic bone is often covered by a layer of subcutaneous fat which can make it somewhat tricky to find - you may need to press gently into your skin with your fingers to feel it. | #Find your pubic bone. The symphysis pubis (pubic bone) is a small, ridge-like bone on the front of the body just above the pubic area. Feel for the top of the pubic bone just below the bottom of your stomach - usually, this is near the top of where your pubic hair naturally extends. The pubic bone is often covered by a layer of subcutaneous fat which can make it somewhat tricky to find - you may need to press gently into your skin with your fingers to feel it. | ||
#Find your fundus. Next, find your fundus (the "top" of your uterus) by feeling near your belly button. Relax your stomach muscles as you gently massage the area above and below your belly button. Feel for a vague "ridge" beneath the skin - this is your fundus. | #Find your fundus. Next, find your fundus (the "top" of your uterus) by feeling near your belly button. Relax your stomach muscles as you gently massage the area above and below your belly button. Feel for a vague "ridge" beneath the skin - this is your fundus. | ||
| − | #* Generally, before the 20th week of pregnancy, the fundus will be below the belly button, while after the 20th week, it will be above it.<ref | + | #* Generally, before the 20th week of pregnancy, the fundus will be below the belly button, while after the 20th week, it will be above it.<ref name="rf2" /> |
#Measure from your pubic bone to your fundus. When you've found both your pubic bone and your fundus, it's time to measure. Hold the "0" end of your tape measure against the top of your pubic bone and carefully stretch it across your pubis, up and over the curve of your stomach, and to your fundus. Record this measurement (in cm). Generally, fundal heights should be within 1-4 cm of the baby's gestational age in weeks. For example, a 20 week-old pregnancy should have a fundal height of about 16-24 cm. | #Measure from your pubic bone to your fundus. When you've found both your pubic bone and your fundus, it's time to measure. Hold the "0" end of your tape measure against the top of your pubic bone and carefully stretch it across your pubis, up and over the curve of your stomach, and to your fundus. Record this measurement (in cm). Generally, fundal heights should be within 1-4 cm of the baby's gestational age in weeks. For example, a 20 week-old pregnancy should have a fundal height of about 16-24 cm. | ||
#* If you don't have measuring tape or a ruler handy, use the old, traditional method of using your fingers. The width of one finger in the fundal height is roughly equivalent to one week of gestation time. Thus, for a 15 week-old pregnancy, you should expect roughly 15 finger-widths of fundal height. | #* If you don't have measuring tape or a ruler handy, use the old, traditional method of using your fingers. The width of one finger in the fundal height is roughly equivalent to one week of gestation time. Thus, for a 15 week-old pregnancy, you should expect roughly 15 finger-widths of fundal height. | ||
