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Discussion

Fundic height

Hi to all the OB nurses out there. I must say I am a big fan of the field. When I was a student, this was my elective. So here goes my question. I am in a bit of a conundrum here. Earlier today, I measured the fundic height of this pregnant lady. I measured it like I would any other pregnant lady, from the symphisis pubis to the fundus. So when I measured it, it was 38 cm. After two hours, a colleague of mine measured the same lady's fundic height and it was 33 cm. I researched about whether or not there is a possibility of a discrepancy like this. I beat myself up with these simple dilemmas. The doctor is informed of both the measurements. When I asked my superiors, they said that it happens. Can anybody please confirm, I know, as far as I could remember I checked it. So now I'm second guessing myself if I made a mistake. thank you for giving me a piece of your mind:)

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    Most people call it "fundal" height, rather than fundic. :)

    It's something that takes practice. Make sure you're measuring from the top of the pubic bone.

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    • Author

    I second-guessed myself in typing that also, whether it's fundic or fundal. does discrepancy happen? like if the baby moves?

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    Did you put her hands the same way that you colleague did?

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    Could be your colleague did not measure the same as you did..also could the baby have dropped into the birth canal just coincedencely in between two measurements,,gotta happen some time!

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    Just out of curiousity, what was her gestation?

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    • Author

    I believe the baby was term, almost 38 weeks. We measured the same way. I dunno if I made a mistake in measuring but if I remember correctly I double checked it. It's a weird thing.

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    I think the baby dropped into the birth canal.

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    It's very common for more than one person to get measurements that are a couple of centimeters apart. The important thing is that there is consistent growth in fundal height over time.

    Baby "dropping" will often reduce FH by a cm or two but not five. This is just an error on someone's part- most likely the person who measured the 38 weeker at 33 since this would indicate a pregnancy measuring very small for dates and would prompt intervention.

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    Forget it, read it wrong!

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    • Author
    Forget it, read it wrong!

    who did? I dont get the comment:(

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    • Author
    It's very common for more than one person to get measurements that are a couple of centimeters apart. The important thing is that there is consistent growth in fundal height over time.

    Baby "dropping" will often reduce FH by a cm or two but not five. This is just an error on someone's part- most likely the person who measured the 38 weeker at 33 since this would indicate a pregnancy measuring very small for dates and would prompt intervention.

    Thank you, I learned a lot from your post.

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    who did? I dont get the comment:(

    It means I wrote something out, and then deleted it because I read the OP incorrectly.

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