Fundal Height Measurement

Have you ever wondered what exactly is being measured at prenatal appointments?

The very top of the uterus is called the fundus. When prenatal care providers are measuring belles they are calling it measuring the “fundal height” and it is the measurement in centimeters from the top of the pubic bone to the top of the fundus.

Measuring fundal height is one tool care providers can use to tell if the baby’s growth is on track.

A really cool thing is that generally when a pregnancy is at 20 weeks, the fundus should be at the belly button. After 20 weeks the fundal height is measured with an actual tape measure and the measurement should be within 2cm above or below the weeks gestation. So, if the pregnancy is 24 weeks then the fundal height should be between 22-26cm.⠀

There are many things that can effect the fundal height such as the position of the baby, if the mother’s bladder is full and the way the mother is laying when the fundal height is being measured. ⠀

Fundal height will be most accurately monitored throughout pregnancy when the same care provider is measuring every time.

Photo Credit: Esther Edith Birth