How accurate are fundal height measurements?

[NewMummy5July2011]

Hi

I just had a midwife appointment this morning and when she measured my bump, she measured me nearly a week ahead at 32 weeks (I'm 31+1 today).

She said it wasn't anything to worry about, and that this was normal still, but I'm worrying anyway! How accurate are these measurements? Does this mean I could potentially have a larger than average baby? Or am I just worrying unneccesarily?

Any thoughts, or anyone else have the same thing?

I had a similar thought today after my midwife appointment. I'm 31+1 today and I'm measuring 29. Up until this appointment the measurements have corresponded with my weeks. I was even told at my last appointment that my baby was definately not petite and probably expecting to be over 8lbs. I asked the midwife today has the baby stopped growing and she said that the measurement is within a certain limit and the baby is fine. Trouble is I have had a different midwife for the last three appointments.

They're not desperately accurate tbh and it does depend on who does them, how the baby is lying and the build of the mother. I think number of weeks +/- 3 might be the parameters of 'to be expected'.

They only start getting concerned if there is no change over a few appointments, though this doesn't mean that there's definitely anything wrong.

I was measured by a nurse and consultant in the same appointment once, and there was 2cm between their measurements, so it's a very rough guide.

I wouldn't worry. The general feeling is that 2cm up or down is fine. The fundal height measurement is notoriously inaccurate. It depends on user differences as well as things like how full your tummy and bladder are. At 28 weeks I was measuring 26 weeks, then 2 weeks later I measured 34 weeks -- neither of the midwives was concerned.

I think they are very inaccurate - during my pregnancy, I've been measured by different midwives, and they all put the tape measure on differently. I was told that a range of +/- 4cm is allowed for the measurements. I have always measured big, and at one point the midwife even sent me for a growth scan because I was too big for my date. I got very panicked, but when I had the growth scan, everything was slap bang on the average scale! The sonographer said that's just how I carry my bump (and yes, my bump is huge).

Remember that the tape measurement doesn't take into account anything like height, weight, build of the woman - and surely that must influence how your bump develops!

Thank you SO much for your replies - am feeling much better after reading them.

I'm quite petite and actually really like my bump - it's straight out but big! Suppose there is nowhere else for it to go but out really! I too have had a different midwife for every appointment which may explain things as well.

Either way, I'll certainly stop worrying - it's amazing how many things we worry about whilst pregnant!

xx

28+2 measuring 30 cm

I went in for some bloods and the day care woman said she may as well while I was there (was due to be measued by midwife later this week).

I am 28+2 weeks and measuring at 30cm, I realised after however that my bladder wasn't empty, which notes say they should be.

Would my full/semu full bladder make my bump measure bigger?

Thank you all in advance.

Not very accurate tbh.

Our 1st measured 2 week ahead on fundal, came out an average 7lb 7oz.
Our 2nd and 3rd had polyhydramniosis (high fluid levels) so fundal height was way off. Growth scans did show them both ahead on growth too, 2 was 10lb 12oz & 9lb 10oz. I was under consultant led care with them both in later pregnancy and they didn't bother with fundal height as they knew it'd be off. With our twins they don't do fundal at all, they scan every 2-4 weeks depending on type of twin. Ours were fraternal so every 4 weeks for heart beat checks at twin clinic in hospital and 2 growth scans after the anomaly too.

I had no change in fundal height between midwife appointments, I was sent for a growth scan and the baby had grown loads, my midwife said it can often depend on what position the baby is in. Clearly mine was hiding a bit!

I had the same midwife for every appointment last pregnancy. Ended up measuring small and needing two growth scans. Baby was fine on both and was born weighing 8lbs! I’m tall so
think there’s just more room!