Postpartum fundus height

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

Where should the fundus be immediately postpartum following a normal delivery of normal size newborn? I think this is at the level of umbilicus as a firm mass

But how might not that be effected by a large for gestational age infant?

A baby with that laid on one of the mothers side more than midline?

An early infant?

A mother who has had more than 5 babies vs someone who just delivered her first baby?

I looked in my book and it answered the first questions but it just said it can depend on gestational age, single or multiples and primipara or multipara. I'm getting ready to do my l&d Clinicals and would really like to know this information.

Thanks for anyone's help :)

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

It depends. That's the best answer I can give. I've seen anywhere from U+2 to U-2 within the first few hours postpartum. It shouldn't deviate to the side, and if it does, you should have her empty her bladder.

ETA: I haven't taken care of postpartum women who have delivered earlier than 34 weeks, so I don't know if having premature infants will significantly affect PP fundal height. During pregnancy, fundal height should be at U by around 20 weeks.

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Premature patients especially those >30 weeks tend to be well below the umbilicus like U/3 or so.

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