Becoming a mother is a wonderful experience. However, there are many unknowns and questions that come to mind during this journey. You take the best care of your body and your unborn baby. But sometimes you may wonder, "How do you know for sure if my baby is growing well in the womb?" One way doctors use to answer that question is to measure your fundal height.
What is this Fundal Height?
Simply put, Fundal Height is the distance from the beginning of your pubic bone to the top of your uterus.
This is one of the tests your doctor will do when you visit your doctor during your pregnancy. Not only this, but doctors will also do other tests to check your baby's health. For example, they will check your physical health, do blood and urine tests (labs), listen to your baby's heartbeat, check the number of times your baby is moving, and look at your baby with an ultrasound scan.
It is by combining the information from all these tests that the doctor can give you the best and most accurate idea of your baby's development. Therefore, Fundal Height is only one part of this entire process.
What can we learn from the Fundal Height measurement?
Doctors use your fundal height measurement to assess how well your baby is growing. This is just one of many tests that measure your baby's growth. By comparing your fundal height with the number of weeks you are pregnant, you can get an idea of whether your baby is growing as expected.
The most important thing to remember here is that you shouldn't panic if your fundal height measurement isn't quite what you expected. It doesn't necessarily mean that there's something wrong with your baby. However, if your fundal height is right, you can feel a little relieved, "Oh... my baby is growing as the doctors expected."
How is Fundal Height measured?
In fact, even a trained doctor can sometimes find it difficult to measure this accurately. So before you try to measure it at home, ask your doctor where your pubic bone is and how to find the top of your uterus.
Once you have an idea about it, these are the basic steps to measure it.
1. First, empty your bladder thoroughly. Research has found that when the bladder is full, the fundal height measurement can change by a few centimeters.
2. Next, lie down on a bed with your legs straight and your arms extended.
3. Take a tape measure in centimeters (cm) and place the zero (0) mark at the top of your uterus.
4. Now bring the measuring tape vertically down your stomach and place the other end where your hip bone begins. That number is your Fundal Height measurement.
How high should your foundation height be?
Usually, after 24 weeks of pregnancy , your fundal height (in centimeters) should be approximately equal to the number of weeks you are pregnant.
But there can be a slight difference here. Even if your measurement is 2 centimeters off, that is considered normal.
For example, imagine that you are now 30 weeks pregnant. If your fundal height is between 28 and 32 centimeters, you can say that it is completely within the normal range.
What factors can affect the Fundal Height measurement?
There are a number of factors that can affect this measurement. Not all of these are related to your baby. Let's look at them in the table below.
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Reasons why the measurement is 'larger' than expected | |
| Increased amniotic fluid | If the amount of fluid around the baby is more than expected, the uterus will enlarge. |
| Twins or more | If there is more than one baby in the womb, it is normal for the uterus to enlarge. |
| Baby getting bigger | If the baby's growth is greater than the number of weeks, the measurement may be larger. |
| Reasons why the measurement is 'smaller' than expected | |
| Baby getting smaller in size | If the baby's growth is less than the number of weeks, the measurement may be small. |
| Decreased amniotic fluid | If there is not enough fluid around the baby, the uterus will not grow as large as expected. |
| Growth restriction in the baby | If the baby's growth is stunted for some reason, the measurement may be small. |
| Other factors affecting measurement accuracy | |
| Your body mass index (BMI) | If your BMI is 30 or higher, it may be difficult to get an accurate measurement. |
| Uterine fibroids | If fibroids are present, the shape of the uterus can change and affect its size. |
| Full bladder | As we talked about before, a full bladder changes the measurement. |
There is another thing to note. There may have been a slight difference in the calculation of your due date. Doctors usually calculate your due date based on the last day of your last period, assuming a 28-day cycle. However, since everyone's menstrual cycle and ovulation day are different, there may be a difference of one to two weeks from the date the doctor originally calculated. If so, the Fundal Height measurement may also change accordingly.
What should you do if you have doubts about the fundal height?
If your fundal height doesn't measure up to expectations, your doctor may order additional tests to find the underlying cause. These tests may include an ultrasound scan to get a better picture of your baby , or blood tests to check your health.
An abnormal fundal height measurement may be a clue that something is wrong with the baby, but further testing is needed to confirm this.
Once your doctor has determined the exact cause of the change in fundal height, he or she will explain to you what steps (if any) you need to take to help your baby grow healthily. So, if you have any questions or concerns, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Fundal Height is a simple method used to get an idea of the baby's growth during pregnancy. But it is only one part of the complete examination that the doctor will perform.
- This measures the distance from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus.
- After 24 weeks, if this measurement is close to your gestational age (it can be up to 2 centimeters), it is normal.
- Many things can affect this measurement, such as your body mass index (BMI), uterine fibroids, and a full bladder.
- Most importantly: Don't panic if the measurement is not as expected. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have. If necessary, he or she will refer you for further testing, such as an ultrasound scan.
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