Fundal Height PED 1
Measuring steps
1. Lay pt back - monitor the mother for supine hypotension, If this occurs immediately place her on the left side. This should help alleviate signs and symptoms. 2. Use a measuring tape and start at the symphysis pubis and extend it up to the top of the uterus. When interpreting the measurement you want the gestational age of the baby to match the location of the fundus or its measurement. After 20-36 weeks the measurement of the fundus from the symphysis pubis will actually start to match the fundal height measurement reading. plus or minus 2 cm.
What is the purpose of measuring fundal height?
It helps assess if the baby is growing properly and helps determine the gestational age of the baby.
How do you measure fundal height?
To measure the fundal height, which is measured in centimeters, you will take a tape measure and extend it from the symphysis pubis to the fundus of the uterus. To measure:
The fundus will be found at the ______ at 20 weeks
belly button (umbilicus)
After about 20-36 weeks the fundal height measurement should almost match.....
the gestational age give or take 2 cm.
The fundus at 36 weeks should be at the
xiphoid process. Around 37-40 weeks (around delivery) the fundal height actually decreases and slightly moves down about 4 cm from the xiphoid process as the baby drops into the pelvis for birth.
Fundal Height after Pregnancy
About 1 hour after birth the fundal height is at the belly button. The fundus will decrease by 1 cm per day and you won't be able to palpate it by day 10-14 because it has entered back into the pelvic cavity. Therefore, 24 hours after birth the fundus should 1 cm (or one finger breadth) BELOW the belly button......48 hours it should be 2 cm below the belly button. At 7 days the fundus should be at the symphysis pubis. At 10-14 days the fundus should be back in the pelvic cavity and can't be palpated. At 6 weeks the uterus will be back at its size before pregnancy.
Fundal Height during Pregnancy should be at 12 wks
Above symphysis pubis
