Measuring

MsAmeera25

When you have your appts does your OB or MW measure your belly? I've read a few post on the 2nd trimester board where ppl are saying they are measuring ahead..but I haven't been measured yet. Just curious....

colleenh01

I haven't been measured, and didn't expect to. What is the point of measuring when they measure the size of the baby at the ultrasound? Interesting...

NativeFloridian

The MW at my practice measured me today, and you can see by my ticker that I'm coming up on 17 weeks.  (I measured 17 weeks).  I think most OBs do, as I've been measured from about this point forward with all of my pregnancies.

The MW explained that they check to be sure that patients are measuring the same as the number of weeks they are or within 2 weeks of their actual weeks.  More than that in either direction clues them in to any issues that may have arisen because they can't track baby's size with ultrasounds at every appointment.

skidderdo

Around 20 weeks, your uterus should be around the level of your belly button (or 20cm from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus). Plus or minus 2cm is considered normal... This type of measuring is a rough estimate and can suggest baby is getting bigger than anticipated for gestational age, or is falling behind in his/her growth. 

synchrosally

I believe it usually starts around 20-24 weeks when the uterus is up to the belly button. I always measured dead on with DS. They measure from the bottom of the uterus to the top. The "fundal height" should measure in centimetres the number of weeks you are, roughly. If you are ahead a centimetre or two, it's not a big deal, but if you are far behind or far ahead, they may want to monitor the size of the fetus more closely.

colleenh01

FTM here, so I was completely unaware. I am 20 weeks today but don't have an appointment again until 24wks, so I will expect to be measured then. Thanks for the insight!

MsAmeera25

Hmm okay...can one of you ladies tell me what's being measured..is it your belly? And is it like with a measuring tape?...I had my 20 week appt today and I wasn't measured but I also get an ultrasound everytime...i'm wondering if that's why.

EDIT --- I read the responses about the fungal height etc...thanks ladies!!

hatroopes

The OB measured me today at my a/s, even though the baby was measured during the u/s. He used is he said a measuring tape and measured from the top pf my belly to my pubic bone. All I know is he said everything looked good

ETA: He did have a resident with him so I assumed he did it for teaching purposes - I didn't know they actually did that...hmmm...

Ooglybear

YellowLilies:

colleenh01:

I haven't been measured, and didn't expect to. What is the point of measuring when they measure the size of the baby at the ultrasound? Interesting...

They only measure via ultrasound (usually) at the 20 week ultrasound.  Your OB or MW uses a measuring tape to measure from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus.  You should measure 1cm per week- so at 20 weeks my uterus should measure 20cm.  This is called a funal height measurement and can indicate if there might be an issue like too much growth, too little growth, too little fluid or too much fluid.  Usually it is done at each appt after 20 weeks (some providers start earlier or later than that).

Also, measurements by u/s are really not very accurate later in pregnancy. It can be off +/-2lb (which is a huge variation). 

BoatsNHoes

mine doesn't start until 24 weeks. same with the last ob i saw.

Chelsiver

At my last appt. my OB felt my bump and said I was measuring perfectly, but she didn't actually measure it with tape. 

leasaj

They have felt my belly but not measured yet.

blueandgray

At my apt last week (17 weeks), my OB measured me.  I thought it was kinda strange b/c  there's not a whole lot there to measure, especially when I lay down on my back.  I'm on a normal gain track, and she said I was measuring perfect, so not sure why she did it so early.