S.L. asks from Evanston, IL on April 17, 2009
Fundal Height Measurement Dropped
Just curious if anyone has ever had their fundal height measurement drop. I've been measuring fairly steady within about a cm of normal measurement. Last week at my 37 week, 5 day appointment, I measured 37 cm fundal height. Today, at my 38 week, 6 day appt, just one week later, I measured at 34 cm. The baby isn't engaged yet, but about at -1. I'm getting an ultrasound tomorrow but otherwise heartbeat sounded good and there is lots of movement. Anyone had this before?
So What Happened?™
First, thanks to everyone for their responses! they were really encouraging. I had the ultrasound today and everything looks great, amniotic fluid was totally fine (16) and baby's size was totally normal. And as a bonus, the tech took a freebie 3d photo of her face! I really do appreciate all the comments. I'd been so mellow about this second pregnancy and then got thrown for a loop with this latest development. Thanks again!
More Answers
C.T. answers from Chicago on April 20, 2009
You should just call your doctor and ask. Is this the reason they are doing the ultrasound? If not I wouldn't worry too much about it. Could be how the baby is positioned or user error from the doctor or maybe you will have a smaller baby.
Measure yourself. I loved doing that when I was pregnant. Just to see how close my measurement was to the doctor of the day. I just use a soft measuring tape from JoAnn Fabrics. I asked the doctor to show me how and she did.
1 mom found this helpful
P.M. answers from Chicago on April 18, 2009
I had the same thing happen as well. I started measuring smaller. My OB wasn't concerned and in the end I had a healthy 8lb. 6oz. baby and she wasn't measuring that big at all!
1 mom found this helpful
C.G. answers from Chicago on April 17, 2009
Fundal height measurements are not an exact science. If it is done by two different people at the same time it can often be off. Baby's position affects it a lot- for instance if baby was breech and is now vertex that will affect it. It is not likely that your baby got smaller so probably one of those things is at play. -1 is pretty low- for most second time and later moms the baby will not be really engaged until labor begins.
The only real concern would be low amniotic fluid. Be sure to stay well-hydrated before the ultrasound as this can have a small affect on the amount of fluid.
If a baby is severely growth restricted, that is referred to as "Intrauterine growth restricted" or IUGR. This can only be diagnosed with serial ultrasounds, one ultrasound cannot diagnose it effectively because it has to show a pattern of restricted growth.
1 mom found this helpful
K.K. answers from Chicago on April 18, 2009
My sister in law had that happen...low amniotic fluid and they delivered the baby right away...everyone is happy and healthy
1 mom found this helpful
M.A. answers from Chicago on April 17, 2009
I had the exact same situation with my first. the US found my amniotic fluid was low...low enough that they induced me immediatly. The baby was fine and so was I. Good luck tomorrow, if this is the case and your fluid is really low, they may suggest an induction(to give you a reference point, my fluid was at a 2, and they said anything under a 5 was getting to be dangerously low). Good luck, I'm sure all is well and the US will let you know if this is even the issue...I may be totally wrong!
1 mom found this helpful
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