Fundal Height smaller than before?

EmreighsMommy

I am 36 weeks pregnant tomorrow. At every appointment, my MW says that I'm measuring "right on track". 

Today, I had another appointment. She measured my fundal height and said that I'm measuring behind. She didn't tell me how far behind though. She then made an appointment for Monday for an ultrasound for growth.

Last week, the baby was transverse but today, my MW said the baby seemed to be head down. Could that have something to do with the fundal height? I'm a little worried and not sure what to think. Anyone have any experience with this? TIA

+diana82+

I've heard you can measure smaller after the baby drops - so maybe it is related to her changing position.

water-fairy

It's probably nothing to worry about. And fundal height has a lot to do with how baby is positioned. I never measured over 36cm with DS, even though I carried him for 40w and 6d. By the end I only measured 35cm, after he started dropping. DS was a very healthy 6lbs 13oz.

mabma80

I've had my doctor tell me I'm ahead a week and a half, behind a week, etc.  Your fundal height can change between 1-2cm, it's not an exact.  My doctor hasn't changed my due date cause I measured where I'm supposed to be at my last appt.  I have another this Friday.  I wouldn't worry about it.

laurahastings

I agree that I wouldn't worry too much about it.  I've been ahead a couple weeks, then behind a week... at  yesterday's appointment she said I was measuring 38 1/2 weeks (I am just now 37) so I said "Wow! He's growing!" and she said "...orrrr he's just bunched up today!"  So, it's not an exact science.  Best of luck, don't worry!

Danielleee

I have also heard that your measurements might go down after the baby drops.  You may also want to up your fluid intake a bit since slight dehydration could also effect your measurements, I think.

MyBun&Me

This just happened to me today at my 37 week appt and I only measured 36... I've always been spot on and then this week I'm behind... My Dr wasn't concerned at all and since he appears to have dropped a little bit and I seem to have stopped gaining weight (thank god!) I'm thinking it has to do with his positioning...

Best of luck to you!!!

K

ShandaLea

I am 37wks but haven't measured over 31wks since wk 31.  We went for a growth u/s and to check fluid and baby is measuring right where she should be and they said I had almost too much fluid.  It all depends on how and where the baby is positioned.  I was sure she was cramming herself into my back and she has also been real low for awhile now...sure enough thats exactly what it is

forensicmama

Measurements have a lot to do with fetal position!

At twenty-four weeks, I measured twenty-three weeks and I was very certain he was finally head-down!

At twenty-eight weeks, he was most definitely breech and I was measuring twenty-nine and a half weeks. 

Neither measurement is concerning as long as I'm in a healthy range. Individual differences in fetal position, if it's mom's first or second or fifth child, if it's twins, if mom is seven feet tall, etc. feed into the measurements. Don't take a little change in measurement to mean that you're "measuring behind" because you're not - you're measuring right on. As long as your practitioner isn't concerned, you shouldn't be either.

 ETA: I read your post wrong. Your midwife IS concerned, but it might also be a an u/s being done just as a precaution, not because of actual concern. Try not to worry until the results are in. I bet your little one will be just fine and you'll get another sneak peek of him/her!