Measuring fundal height

klone, MSN, RN · May 22, 2014

Oh geez. I'm so sorry. I don't know how you do it.

I do it only as part of seeing my OWN patients. I don't do anything with the providers' visits - the MAs room those patients and get their vitals. The only OB patients I see are for the initial intake appointment, and I will do FHTs if >10 weeks, and I will get a fundal height if > 18-20 weeks. Once in a while we will combine the initial intake appointment with the physical exam with the provider, and then I defer the FHTs and fundal height for the provider to do because I know the providers like to do them and there is no sense in doing them twice.

Have you considered looking around for other OB/gyn positions? Maybe I'm just super super lucky in my role and what you describe is the norm, but IMO, you have the responsibilities of 3 people and it's just not fair to you or the patients.

ChandraSpisakHess · Jun 7, 2014

In my office the physician does that. I've collected cultures for the doctor before when we have been behind schedule, and hooked up pt's to the NST. If your not comfortable doing this you should speak up.

Mr Midwife, BSN, RN · Jun 8, 2014

The trouble with measureing symphysis fundal height is the huge error margin in Inter-observer reliability, two people can get vastly different results based on their technique and bias.

In my Antenatal Clinic I only measure after 28 weeks gestation and only find there is any real benefit if I am following a mother through her pregnancy and am doing the SFH each time myself, then you are more likely to pick up then the weight/growth is dropping off.