The Magical Fundus Question

[maledi]

Is there any magical potions when it comes to finding out where a fundus in. Sometimes I have such a hard time figuring it out. It almost always feels deviated to the right to me even if the patient has an empty bladder. Not to mention it takes me s long to go poking the poor girl in the belly while I am searching for it. Any tips would be very helpful. Thanks in advance.

[TrudyRN]

I always found the darned thing elusive, too, LOL. Sorry I can't help but good luck.

[MIA-RN1, RN]

I am taking it to mean in the postpartum care?

What I do is instead of going at it with my fingertips, I use the side of my hand--my little finger side. And I kind of feel with a massaging-scooping motion. It gives a greater area to feel and also, the massing motion helps firm the uterus up a bit and makes it easier to feel. Plus most of my patients say it hurts less that way than with pressing down with the fingers. Start feeling where you expect it to be, U or U-1 etc. Then either move up or down accordingly.

Make sure your patient is flat, because even just a little elevation in the head or back will make the fundus harder to find. And if you really can't find it, have them urinate. That helps too. Even if they don't htink they have to go, they usually can put out some urine. And if they are post-epidural, they may not feel that their bladder is full anyway.

Good luck! :)

[MemphisOBRNC, BSN, RN]

You are probably not "mashing" deep enough. It should feel similar to a grapefruit. I agree with using the side of the hand instead of fingertips.

[enfermeraSG]

I agree with CoopergrrlRN, I use the side of my hand and begin somewhere around the "U", pressing in a down & sideways motion in the direction of Mom's feet. If you start at about the U - you should run into it. Of course, occassionally you don't in which case you come up above the U and try again. The majority of the time though, there it is! It is more difficult to me with some multips who just do not get an extremely firm fundus. SG