Fundal Height?

jldcjs · March 2014

My doctor has never measured me or even mentioned it. I just realized this might be unusual. I will ask why she doesn't at my next appointment, but I'm curious if anyone knows why she might not do this.

katekat8721 · March 2014

She doesn't feel like it *shrugs*

https://media1.giphy.com/media/xpnUGtMdW5v8Y/giphy.gif

ElTrain5 · March 2014

My midwives started measuring me sometime around second tri. I haven't heard of anyone skipping it.

MNOpea · March 2014

Does she feel your stomach? With my first my dr was able to pretty accurately measure just by feeling where the top of my uterus is and estimating. My current midwife uses a measuring tape though

temursgirl · March 2014

What is that? Obviously I don't know if I've been measured for that.

katekat8721 · March 2014

Temurlang1 said:

What is that? Obviously I don't know if I've been measured for that.

They use a tape measure (usually) and go from the bottom/top of your uterus and see how big or small you are.

You can do it at home if you don't mind room for error. Just lay down, get a fabric tape measure and go from the top of your pubic bone area to the top of your uterus (feel around for it). Whatever you measure in centimeters is about how far along you should be. I'd just try it for funsies, if you're way off don't worry, just ask your doc to measure you.

ElTrain5 · March 2014

BrightEyes112 said:
Probably because her nail appointment is always inconveniently scheduled immediately before your apppointment. Maybe you should schedule for a different time.

That's why my dr always skipped my internal exam. Duh

Temurlang1 said:
What is that? Obviously I don't know if I've been measured for that.

It's when they measure the distance between your pubic bone and the top of your uterus. Usually with a measuring tape.

temursgirl · March 2014

Nope. They definitely haven't done that.

LaurelJoy91 · March 2014

I've never been measured for it. I believe the ultrasound tech mentioned something about my fundus being in the right spot when I had my AS at 19 weeks, but my doc has never mentioned it. The only time she touches my belly is when she's checking the heart beat with the Doppler. I feel it every now and then, though, and can tell it's getting higher. Every OB has a different routine... I wouldn't worry about it. You can google fundus height chart to get an idea of where it should be.

Mizoo · March 2014

I have yet to have any measurements taken. My primary midwife said two appointments ago that they would start taking measurements at 28 weeks but for some reason they didn't.

puttyeast · March 2014

My last appointment (at 25 weeks) was the first time they did this. I don't think it is critical. Maybe they are waiting until third trimester for you (I have no idea how far along you are though)? I'd ask them next time if you are super concerned about it.

b48kate · March 2014

Like @Mizoo‌ mentioned, my practitioner also told me that they start measuring at 28 weeks (my next appt). Varies from practice to practice methinks.

MissBHaven1024 · March 2014

My midwife didn't start doing this until I was 20 weeks. I would imagine though that maybe some docs don't do it because it can change so often?

I'm not really sure, but if it's something that concerns you, I would recommend bringing it up at your next appt.

Kristalyn85 · March 2014

My Dr. started ay 24 weeks. At first I thought it was just because it was a different Dr. in the practice, but that is when they told me they start it every visit.

BabyCurtiss2014 · March 2014

Mine started at 27 weeks. Ask your doctor...

wtfisup · March 2014

In the beginning, they just felt with their hands. They began using the measuring tape around 24 weeks for me.

kibean · March 2014

My doctor started at 20 weeks, but as an overweight woman they always follow up by telling me that the number doesn't really mean anything because they are measuring baby and belly fat. I wish they would just stop doing it if the number is useless, but maybe they can compare me to myself rather than to some standard number?

PressLove · March 2014

Rachel5130- How are they measuring the the LO's cranium? If you're getting an U/S, they wouldn't need to manually measure fundal height.

FAWKES81 · March 2014

I had mine measured for the first time at my last apt (26 weeks).

k318 · March 2014

Mine doesn't measure it. Sometimes she checks with her hands.

lest12 · March 2014

They only pulled the tape measure out on me at my last appointment.

ETA - before that, he measured with his hands.

flerlgirl · March 2014

I get measured every.single.time. BOOM.

steprozz · March 2014

I've gotten measured every time. I find it interesting to hear most of you have dr/mw that don't. not weird or wrong I just always thought everyone did

Susanrush13 · March 2014

I've been measured twice since 23 weeks. Just ask her, I'm not sure medically what the reasons are for not checking unless any sonograms you've had lead her to believe baby is measuring where he/she is supposed to.

MrsRahl · March 2014

I didn't start getting measured with the tape until 26 weeks and even then it was super quick and they didn't share any of that info with me. My docs don't share any of the numbers with me unless I ask. They just say "Everything looks good" and that's about it.

katiebartton · March 2014

I've only had it done once at 26 weeks. I think my last appointment they skipped it because I go to an MFM every 4 weeks for a growth scan? But that's just a guess. Since I'm starting the every 2 weeks maybe they'll start doing it again.

MollySm · March 2014

Mine sort of touched my belly quickly at the last appt, which I think was her measuring (or at least getting an idea). But I also vaguely remember from my first pregnancy (correct me if I'm wrong, someone) that it's a super inaccurate way to tell anything, so maybe your doctor is just with the times and has stopped doing it.

jldcjs · March 2014

Thanks all! Good to know some of you also haven't been measured so maybe it just isn't essential. I am 27 weeks and my doctor just uses the doppler and asks if I have any questions.

I'm still going to ask her about it though.

Thanks again!

flojo973 · March 2014

Mine didn't start measuring with the tape until my 28 week appointment. Before then they just felt with their hands.

britleann26 · March 2014

As I am overweight, my DR does an ultrasound at every appointment to check growth and heartbeat. I have never been measured.

LaurelJoy91 · March 2014

LaurelJoy91 said:

I've never been measured for it. I believe the ultrasound tech mentioned something about my fundus being in the right spot when I had my AS at 19 weeks, but my doc has never mentioned it.

Update: had an appointment after commenting, and my doctor pushed on my belly in a few places and said everything's measuring fine before she started with the Doppler. I guess maybe my doctor's office starts checking at the 30 week mark?

hollygb22 · March 2014

my doctor starts around 20 -24 weeks..I don't think I had much to measure at 20 weeks. During my first pregnancy if started to measure behind around 32 weeks..which lead to some growth u/s to check baby and fluid levels.

something I'd ask about..i don't think it's an old school practice like kick counts etc

Pepper6 · March 2014

I've never been measured, nor have they even felt my belly. My regular appointments are basically come in, talk about stuff while she finds the heartbeat via doppler, ask/answer any questions, and then done.

chloephoebecali · March 2014

One of the obs at my practice measures with the finger test that was previously mentioned. I would not have known if I didn't ask. She is measuring 3 weeks ahead so I'm getting an u/s next appt. Ds had shoulder dystocia so they worry about size.

Mrs_D_in_KY · March 2014

Almost every appointment I've had they measure me with the measuring tape. My last appointment was with one of the older doctors in the practice and he pushed around on my stomach to feel the baby. He said everything looks great. I guess he just does things differently.

Definitely worth asking about though.

tortillachip99 · March 2014

Mine didn't start measuring until like 25 weeks.

roadspeckle · March 2014

Mine started measuring at 17 weeks and has measured every appointment. No big deal.

FutureMrsW9 · March 2014

They've felt for fundal height at every appt to see where I'm at, but it wasn't until my appt around 26 weeks that they actually measured with a tape measure and made a note in my chart.

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