Midwife uterus palpation

[redxlondon]

I had my 16 weeks check today (I’m 17 weeks, dates changed) with midwife. I just realised when looking at my notes at home, she didn’t palpate my uterus (just wrote a dash in that column) and didn’t weight me. What was your experience at 16-17 weeks midwife appointments? I just had blood pressure taken, recommendation for vaccines, urine test.

I’ve had two children and don’t remember them even palpating my uterus during pregnancy. Only a brief prod if the stomach at my post-natal checks to ensure that things were shrinking back into place.

I think it’s from 24 weeks they start measuring your bump/feeling the baby’s position etc.

Palpation doesn’t really happen until 24/28 weeks and some trusts don’t palpate until last few weeks now
what are you wanting to know from palpation at 16 weeks?

I don’t think you get weighed after your first booking appointment though (I don’t remember it anyway).

There's zero need to palpate at 16 weeks. The fundus is barely above your pubic bone, and baby's position (if it can even be felt!) is completely irrelevant at this stage. I got all you did at both 16 week check. My first I also had the Quad test as the nuchal measurement was unable to be taken. I was also lucky enough to get a Doppler check at both, but I know that is getting more infrequent due it causing undue concern if the heartbeat can't be found.

I was only ever weighed at hospital appointments, and when being admitted to hospital, after the initial booking appointment.

They don’t weigh you after your booking in appointment and they don’t start to feel/measure uterus until 28 weeks. The 16 week appointment is quite boring, just blood pressure and urine check really. They wouldn’t feel much at 16/17 weeks so really no point

I was just curious as another midwife I know said she did at every appointment, and there is space in the notes for it.

thanks everyone for sharing