Measuring ahead in pregnancy

What does it mean if your baby is measuring big for your dates? Measuring ahead in pregnancy baby measuring big means that he or she looks to be a bit bigger than what's considered average for the week you're at in your pregnancy. However, this news shouldn't cause you to worry.

A fundal height measurement helps estimate the size of a fetus during pregnancy. In general, the measurement is defined as the distance in centimeters from the pubic bone to the top of the uterus. After week 24 of pregnancy, the fundal height generally is expected to match the number of weeks of pregnancy — plus or minus 3 centimeters. For example, if you're 27 weeks pregnant, your healthcare professional would expect your fundal height to be about 27 centimeters. Some factors can make a fundal height measurement less accurate. They include obesity and a history of common growths in the uterus called fibroids. Also, fundal height measurements tend to be less accurate after 36 weeks of pregnancy.

Measuring ahead in pregnancy

When you're pregnant, your provider may routinely take a fundal height measurement — the distance from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus. This screening is one way to track your baby's growth. Fundal height is the distance from your pubic bone symphysis pubic to the top of your uterus fundus. Taking a fundal height measurement is an easy, inexpensive method of checking to see that your baby is growing well. If you're pregnancy is considered high-risk, your provider is likely to forgo fundal height measurements and use ultrasounds to track your baby instead. If you are getting your fundal height measured, remember that the measurement isn't used to estimate your due date — your last menstrual period and your first ultrasound exam will be used for that. But it can provide information about your baby's size as well as how much amniotic fluid is in your uterus. Too much or too little amniotic fluid is uncommon, but it can put you at risk for complications. The fundal height measurement isn't diagnostic you wouldn't receive treatment based on a measurement that's off , but it's one way to screen for a problem with your pregnancy. Your fundal height measurement changes as your pregnancy progresses. Here's a range of typical fundal height measurements during pregnancy:. About an hour after delivery, your uterus will go down to where it was at 20 weeks around your belly button. After that, it will slowly return to its normal size by about 6 weeks. Beginning around week 24, fundal height measurements are routinely taken at each prenatal visit for women who are having a low-risk pregnancy. Women who are being monitored for a high-risk pregnancy those who have high-risk conditions such as obesity , lupus , diabetes , and hypertension usually don't have fundal height measurements taken.

An ultrasound can help find out what's causing the unusual measurements.

There is a lot of diagnostic testing that is completed while you're pregnant. Likely, you're already an expert on everything from nuchal screening to the four chamber heart exam. However, there are some tests that are a little more ambiguous, and may lend themselves to various answers running around your brain. A good example for these is the fundal height and ultrasound size testing. You may measure perfectly for your due date, or larger or smaller, depending.

We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. November 16, Latest update: See more UnSplash Here's what to know if your practitioner tells you that you're "measuring big. I'm afraid my baby will be too big to deliver vaginally. But guessing how big they are is just that — a big guess.

Measuring ahead in pregnancy

If your baby is measuring big, will it come early? Well, that depends on a few things. Usually, a baby that is 10 lb or more is considered larger than average. Although your baby may technically be measuring early, it is important to remember that your baby is still whatever age they are gestation.

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Later on in pregnancy, your baby is maxing out on the space available in your uterus, which makes his weight notoriously difficult to predict. He was actually 6lb 13oz at birth. If they think you're measuring large for your dates, you'll likely be asked to go for what's known as a wellbeing or growth scan - or they may suggest some tests. International Patients. Your Pregnant Belly Size and Shape. They're just precautionary, to check there's nothing underlying going on. Who will have their fundal height measured? Your fundal measurement might also be on the small side if:. Request Appointment. Sign up for free e-newsletters. Be sure to follow their instructions carefully to stay healthy and reduce baby's risk of macrosomia when babies are born weighing more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces.

A fundal height measurement helps estimate the size of a fetus during pregnancy.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Of course, when that study is done - we'll update you here. Make your tax-deductible gift and be a part of the cutting-edge research and care that's changing medicine. If you're pregnancy is considered high-risk, your provider is likely to forgo fundal height measurements and use ultrasounds to track your baby instead. Was this article helpful? Your body type might also be at play; some women carry their babies lower, which makes them appear to stick out more. History taking and examination in obstetrics. Oh my gosh, is my baby going to be massive? Symphysial fundal height SFH measurement in pregnancy for detecting abnormal fetal growth. No result.