That fundal height measurement...is it reliable?

[storkycake]

I'm 31 weeks tomorrow (no.4) and measuring 27 cm.

I was first seen at 25 weeks when the m/w commented I was measuring a bit small.

At 28 weeks a different m/w saw me at AN clinic and made the same comment. Now I've been measured as above.

Does it mean anything? Can it not be the way the baby is lying?

No! It's not reliable. I was told dd would be at least 9 lbs according to the fundal height measurement. She was actually 6lbs 10!

Have they referred you for a scan? It can be significant, but if they haven't sent you for a growth scan they can't be too worried.

No, no one has mentioned a scan. With dc3 I measured small for dates and the sent me for a scan, but personally i think it was the inexperience of the m/w that time.

Everything was fine with him and he was born at term a healthy 7lb11.

The consultant measuring me at that scan said I wasn't small for dates at all

So I was just wondering if it's more down to variations in clinicians.

Completely unreliable. I kept being told I was measuring off the scale with ds2. He was 7lb.

Thank goodness! I wonder why they do it then

Seems to me to be about as useful as weighing the mother.

yep - totally useless, they told me to expect a 7lber as i was bang on for my measurements - he was 10lb 5oz!! some people just seem to pack more into the space

Hi Storkycake,

I was measured 23 weeks at 28 and the Midwife sent me for a growth scan.
The scan showed that the baby was a little 9 only a little ) smaller than 'normal' but she is fine. I have another growth scan booked for next week, to check she is growing along the right curve.
But all in all, id say that measurment is in accurate - I think it depends on how baby is lying, your shape/size to start with.

Ive always had quite good tummy muscles,so the Sonographer just said it holds everything a little bit tighter.

So no worries im sure

Not at all reliable IME, with ds I measured 34 weeks at term. I had fortnightly growth scans for the last 2 months or so and was told to expect 5-6lb baby by the sonographer, a 4-5lber by the consultant. DS was 7lbs.

My experience is that it's not reliable. I never get beyond the 33 weeks measurement despite delivering usually at 42 weeks. Am always told by midwives that my babies 'seem small'. They've all been perfectly normal sizes - had 4 varying between 6lbs 80z and 8lb 8oz. Decided I have a nice roomy pelvis or babies who can curl up in a tight ball.

could somebody explain how it works please - when they measure, what are they looking for? is it a certain measurement by a certain point in time? My MW didn't tell me why she was doing it and she was a bit grumpy so I didn't ask!