Talk

Flip

Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Pregnancy

Fundal height measurement anxiety- how best to 'grow that baby'!

8 replies

Smittals · 06/10/2006 12:59

Hello everyone,
I've had a look through old threads and think I'm not going over old ground too much - apologies if so.
I'm 31 wks, and the fundal height measurements are coming up quite small. Still in the grey area of the growth chart in the handheld yellow notes, but near the bottom of the acceptable range. More worryingly (spot the 1st time mother ) this week's measurement showed that growth rate seemed to have slowed down. Reassuring noises from the midwives haven't cheered me up.
Any advice on improving growth rate? I was 8lb something, as as I'm 5'11" was expecting to 'pop' out an 8-pounder myself.

OP posts:

Report

wheelybug · 06/10/2006 13:03

Hi Smittals - fundal height isn't a very accurate way of measuring the baby's size... I DID have a small baby (4lbs 9 oz) but my fundal height was always spot on for dates. If the MW thought it was a problem you would be sent for a growth scan (or series to track growth).

Apparently though, making sure you lie on your left side improves flow from the placenta so try that !

Easier said than done but try not to worry - and good luck !

Report

foundintranslation · 06/10/2006 13:09

If it helps, over here in Germany fundal height measurement is unheard of - they do scan around 30 weeks, but I think measuring fundal height is considered to be pretty unhelpful. Also, I looked pretty big from fairly early and had a 6-pounder. HTH

Report

Littlefish · 06/10/2006 13:11

Fundal height measurements are really inaccurate!

I was told my baby would be at least 8 - 9 lbs. In the end, she weighed 6lbs 10 (and I'm 5ft 9) I've also had friends who were told their babies would be small, and they ended up as whoppers!!

Please don't stress about it. If your midwife was concerned, she would be sending you for a scan.

Report

edam · 06/10/2006 13:11

agree, don't worry, fundal height is really inaccurate. But sleeping on your left side is supposed to be good.

Bet you produce a 9lber now!

Report

tribpot · 06/10/2006 13:12

Belgian Chocolate Haagen Dasz ds was nearly 9lb and I'm sure this was why! FWIW, I started worrying towards the end because I had gone out of the normal range at the top - you can't win really!

I'm not sure that your birth weight is a very good guide; I was a tiddler but as noted, ds was a large one. Of course, they didn't have Belgian Chocolate Haagen Dasz when my mum was pregnant ...

Report

HappyMumof2 · 06/10/2006 13:26

Message withdrawn

Report

Gwu · 06/10/2006 13:45

Hi Smittals

With my 1st pregnancy, my fundal height was low and stopped growing altogether but I'm not sure at what week that was at, definitely in the 30 plus week area though.

I had extra scans as a result and all showed baby was normal and ds popped out at 7lb 3oz.

I'm quite sporty, used to do about 500 sit ups a week (before pregnancy!), carried on running throughout the pregnancy, am 5ft 8 and slim build which all probably caused the low fundal height.

Maybe you've got strong stomach muscles and therefore your measurements are quite small?

Report

Smittals · 07/10/2006 10:17

Thanks everyone, I do miraculously feel a bit more cheerful now! Luckily I always sleep on my left (where is the 'smug' emoticon?!), but think I'll try and get a bit more rest and see if that helps. I also liked the fact that if I was German, I wouldn't even be wasting a moment on these thoughts!