How accurate is fundal height measurement?

[BusyMissIzzy]

At my last mw appointment she plotted my fundal height on a chart (previously they would just measure it and not actually record it, so I assumed it was normal), and I'm at the upper end of the normal range. She said if I veer any higher out of the normal range they'll probably do a scan to make sure it's not a huge baby! I'm not overly worried, but was just wondering how accurate this measurement is? There must be other factors than just the size of the baby? I was only 5lb10oz at birth, and DH was 7lb8oz, so I wasn't expecting a big baby. Is it possible that the dates could be off and I'm actually further along? I had an early dating scan and was estimated 8 weeks; cycle was all over the place after coming off the pill so couldn't tell LMP.
Also, GTT test for diabetes was normal, so I don't think that's a factor. Any thoughts/experiences?

Fundal height measurments are not at all accurate, depends on who measures it, their tape measure and so many other things. I was measuring 4 weeks ahead at one point with my daughter, the midwives were all questioning me on was I sure there was only one in there....... I was much bigger than in my first pregnancy, and when pregnant with my third child (my daughter was my second pregnancy). They were saying I should have scans etc. But it turns out that my daughter was actually the lightest of my three children at birth only 7lb3oz, it was just lots of water. I was bigger iwth her than with my ds2 who was 9lbs at birth, he was all baby and little water..... so no you can't tell anything from fundal height alone! Rest assured the baby will be just right for you.

Hello!

Fundal height measurements are very subjective and not at all accurate. This week I got 32cm and 34cm 2 days apart, taken by different midwives (I'm 36 weeks). Depends on position of the baby and how much amniotic fluid you have as well. I was sent for a scan on Wednesday as 32cm is 4cm smaller than I should be but baby was measuring exactly right for dates. Generally if the measurements are more than a few cm off what they should be you get sent for a growth scan.

Good luck!

I have so many friends who have been worried by either fundal height too big or small, had extra scans and all have been fine.

i have to asked a silly question i last had a scan at 21 weeks and have had none since and have had a very hands off approach with mw appts very far and few in between.(every 2 months)

now 37 and having my baby shower today and one game is guess the weight now where would that info be on my notes! i hardly get measured they just poke and prode my baby bump and listen to heartbeat they dont even weight me so clueless to weight gain!

where is the weight of my baby so i can roughly estimate my babys birthweight for this game????

help someone!

You won't have a weight anywhere except on your 21 week scan, which is of no benefit to guessing the weight at this stage. Everything must seem pretty normal to the MW's otherwise they would have said, so i would go for a pretty average weight. In fact, let me guess too and then when you have had the baby, let me know My guess is 8lb3

Do you know what weight you/DH and siblings were. Might be good starting point for guessing.

I'll put 10p on 7lb 2oz.

My friend measured textbook-size fundal height (i.e, 1cm for every week gestation) throughout her pregnancy, and then delivered a whopper 10lb baby! She's only tiny as well.

Thanks -

my first DD15- was 6lbs 2oz, DD9 - 6lbs 15oz

i know LO not a big one feel like it will def be in the 6lbs so not worried of HUGE baby!

im grateful that have had a straight forward, kinda problem free pregnancy just glad the finish line is coming up!

I always measured huge with dd and she came weighing in at 6lb 11 and was alwasy bang on target with ds and he was 6lb 9 so I don't think it is that accurate.
My current mw says that this time I may measure bigger again as this is my 3rd but unless I'm mahhosively out she won't worry.

When I was pregnant with ds1 the midwife measured me at 29cm when I was 33 weeks, I was sent for a scan and it turns out I was losing a lot of fluid. Ds eventually arrived at 37 weeks and I was still only measuring 29cm as I continued to lose fluid. The weird thing is I was huge!

I am now 26 weeks pregnant and the midwife measured me at 25 cm, she said they only send you for a scan if you are more than 2cm out. I was surprised that I am measuring smaller than my dates as everyone is commenting on how big my bump is. Not quite sure how it works really.

Just to second what others have said, not very accurate. I measured small (37 weeks at 41+ weeks), although on a scan DS measured fine (they did give me a weight estimate of 8lbs, but consultant advised that these are also not very accurate) .He was 9lbs, so by no means small. I think it can just be how you carry.

Thanks for the replies and reassurance (except bexaa ). I am quite petite, so I think my bump is possibly more "out front" than some anyway. Will have to just wait and see I suppose..

Hi - not accurate at all - very much a guesstimate. I was 5lb 13oz when born. With DS1 I measured 4-5 weeks ahead - when had the growth scan, all was fine but they said he was a big baby - he ended up being 7lb 8oz (he was just long).

With DC2, I've just had another growth scan, this one is measuring 4 weeks too small on th fundal measurement - but again, all normal - just carrying neater.

It's all very very rough measurements.

my fundal height measurements were what they were supposed to be ...

but

baby wasnt putting on weight.\fundal height doesnt show that

any doubts ask for a scan

I think fundal height measurements are v inaccurate.

At 25 weeks my midwife had my measurement below the 10th centile so I had to have an extra scan. (Panicked, as had just had swine flu jab 2 weeks befored). The scan showed the baby to be a few days bigger than dates, nothing abnormal. Then the consultant redid the fundal height measurement and had the bump measuring the equivalent of 29 weeks.

So I have two marks on my chart, taken within days of each other, one way below the lowest line, the other way above the highest

Not very. My DS apparently shrank at a couple of points in my pregnancy . He was a pound and a half heavier than predicted as well.

I thought it was the evolution of the height over time they were interested in, to make sure the baby's still growing. It wouldn't make sense to use it in the old way, which predated US scanning, and was very prescriptive about how many cm per week you should be. It also depends on how the baby is lying. It still has plenty of room to flip around in the mid 20s weeks, you could get a massive discrepancy simply based on how it's lying. Do not worry in the slightest about FH. It seems to be back in fashion for some unknown reason (had just gone out of fashion when I had child 1 16 years ago, was appalled to see it back again for child 4 in this year).

Any possiblity you've got twins .

I think fundal height is very inaccurate, but if it is a lot out I think this is a stereotypical indication for twins.

Not at all accurate, according to my MW who said "these are a complete waste of time but we have to do them"

I always measured big and have big babies which I suppose is a bit obvious. I think what I'm trying to say is that it all depends on who you ask, the experience they have had to what opinion you get. With ds 2 I was measuring 4 weeks larger than I should have but then when I was scanned I still was.

Do remember though that even though they may scan they cannot accurately tell you roughly how much your baby will weigh, they can only tell you if you are having a large/larger baby based on actual measurements of the baby.

My ds 1 was 9lb 1oz, ds 2 1/2oz off 10lbs and ds 3 8lb 9oz (weeks early through elective c-section)

Size of baby is all relative too. I am 5"2 and size 8 so for me these are large babies, my taller friend had large babies - 9lb 6oz and 11lb 7oz (yes really) with G&A. She is measuring big for dates for her 3rd lo too.

Big babies don't always equal awful births according to my midwife friend she says a lot of littlies get themselves at an angle and can quite easily get stuck.

Keep informed, don't panic and keep asking 'what does this mean...?' when you are given information regarding any aspect of the pregancy that you're not sure of.

Sorry bexaa, I was being sarcastic. I guess that doesn't always come accross in text. Certainly didn't mean to offend.

So you should, I've spent the last hour crying. Hug?