Fundal Height Measurement

[JC74]

Hi, I'm now 33 weeks pregnant and have not been measured at all
Is this normal or is it something that happens later on?

[PostmanPatAlwaysRingsTwice]

Are you in the UK? I was measured from 20 weeks, I think that's pretty standard.

[eurochick]

I was measured first at 28 weeks, but my mw said it was a bit early and the baby really needs to be above the naval for it to work.

[JC74]

Yes I am in the UK. I've had a mixture of consultant and community midwife care but neither have done it.
I have a midwife appointment next week so will have to ask her about it.

[JC74]

That's good to know euro chick. Now stupid question, do they actually measure you with a tape or just use experience/judgement to decide if your bump looks 'right'?

[PostmanPatAlwaysRingsTwice]

They use a tape. Normally if you're more than 3cm too big or too small they will do further checks (growth scan, GTT etc ). At least that's how it works in my area.

[eurochick]

They use a tape. They palpate to locate the top of the uterus and then measure down to the pubic bone.

[RAFWife12]

I was measured from 25 weeks, each midwife appointment and both times i've been admitted to mat unit. Its with a tape measure but still not an exact science! Ask midwife about it at next appointment.

[JC74]

So I would know if it had been done! I'll definitely be asking about this next week. Just hope there are no issues.

[squizita]

Postman 20 weeks seems very early (I say as someone who has been in every two weeks pretty much since BFP with high risk and has all the NHS leaflets too).

I was 1st measured at 25 weeks but warned it is inexact at that time. My MW will be measuring at 28 weeks then all the appointments after that, too.

[JC74]

I was at the hospital for my 28 week appointment as had to have antiD injection.
I'm seeing my midwife next week (34 weeks) and haven't been seen in between. So looks like it was missed at 28 weeks & should be done at my next appointment

[eurochick]

It's a pretty rough and ready measurement anyway. In my experience, no two people will come up with the same measurement!

[FoodieMum3]

It doesn't seem to very accurate for me.

I'm 26.5 weeks and measuring 29.5-30cm ???? fundal height with tape.
I've had a GTT which was negative and at the 20 week scan (which was 22 weeks) baby was measuring smaller by 4 days.

I'm not slim but not terribly overweight, size 14 maternity clothes. (Incase that makes a difference)?

Very confusing!
They have requested a scan at 28 weeks though.

[GingerRodgers]

Euro, I thought baby was above naval by 28 weeks?!

[FTMK]

I am 17 weeks. Midwife said that they send off some data about my height and weight and get a personalised growth chart for bump (at least I think that's what she said). She said she'd have it back at next appt at 25 weeks and could measure from then on. I was quite surprised that the chart would be personalised but I suppose that makes sense for height and weight being so different for everyone.

[Heatherbell1978]

I'm in Edinburgh and have been measured with a tape from 20 weeks.

[rightsaidfred]

It is normal to measure at every appointment after 20 weeks. The fundal height should be at the level of the umbillicus (ie your belly button) at 20 weeks......
However it is wildly innaccurate.....

[TheFace]

I've been measured at every mw appointment from 20 weeks but I know they are inaccurate. I've always measured bang on week i.e 34cms @ 34 weeks but I'm still trying to prepare myself for a extra big baby. Just in case.

[JC74]

Thanks for all of your replies. It does seem odd that I have never been measured I will def be asking next week. I don't know any local pregnant ladies to compare notes with unfortunately.

[eurochick]

Ginger the uterus is above the naval by then. My baby wasn't! He/she like wriggling around low down.

[GingerRodgers]

My god euro, I must have an elephant in there I can feel baby way down low and right under my ribs!

[JC74]

Well I was finally measured today and it was spot on which was a relief. Apparently the hospital should have done it at my last appointment....