MANAGEMENT GUIDELINE
Subject: Fundal Height Assessment
Screening /Diagnosis:
Patterns of fetal growth are determined by using a tape to measure the fundal height. Measure from symphysis pubis to the uterine fundus using gentle pressure. Measurements may vary from woman to woman and, with obese women, it may be difficult to measure.
Fundal height should be measured at each prenatal visit.
- Between 10-12 weeks, the fundus rises from the pelvis and
is not palpable.
- At 16 weeks, midway between symphysis pubis and umbilicus
- At 20 weeks, fundal height is about 20 cms and at the umbilicus
- Thereafter, the fundus measures about 1 cm for each week gestation plus or minus 2 cms.
Recommendations:
Consult with medical provider if:
1. Consistently low fundal height - 4 or more cms less than expected for the period of gestation or fundal height remains the same for 3 consecutive weeks.
2. Consistently high fundal height - 4 or more cms higher than expected for the period of gestation.
3. Rapid or excessive uterine growth or lack of change in fundal height.
Prepared in conjunction with the
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Duke University Medical Center
Director
_________________
Date
1/16/07
References
Fundal Height Assessment
- Lindhard A, Nielsen PV, Mouritsen LA, Zachariassen A, Sorensen HU, Roseno H. The implications of introducing the symphyseal-fundal height-measurement. A prospective randomized controlled trial. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1990;97:675-80.
- Neilson JP. Symphysis-fundal height measurement in pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2004;(4):CD000944.
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