Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionHow It WorksWhy Needed?Risks and Warnings
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
How It Works
Why Needed?
Risks and Warnings
This article discusses fundal height, including what it is, when it’s used, and what the measurements mean during pregnancy.
BSIP/ Getty Images
Fundal Height Defined
A fundal height that is too small or too large could indicate a pregnancy complication. If your fundal height is out of the norm, your healthcare provider will recommend anultrasound.People with high-risk pregnancies often require more ultrasounds as well.
Fundal height is an imprecise measurement, and some factors can affect it. For instance, fundal height may be more challenging to measure in pregnant people who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Having a history ofuterine fibroidsmay also affect the accuracy of fundal height.
What Is Average Fundal Height?Average fundal height in centimeters usually is the same numeral as the fetus’s gestational age in weeks. For example, if you are 32 weeks pregnant, your fundal height will likely be 32 centimeters.
What Is Average Fundal Height?
Average fundal height in centimeters usually is the same numeral as the fetus’s gestational age in weeks. For example, if you are 32 weeks pregnant, your fundal height will likely be 32 centimeters.
How Fundal Height Measurements Work
Fundal height can be measured quickly and easily. Your healthcare provider will ask you to lie down face up on the exam table, similar to when you have an ultrasound orpelvic exam.Your provider will then run a soft tape measure from the area of your belly where the top of your uterus would be down to your pubic bone.
What Are Fundal Height Measurements Used For?
Measuring fundal height is used to monitor fetal growth and development. Several factors can affect how a fetus develops during pregnancy. Fundal height is a simple way to detect potential growth issues or complications.
Genetics, nutrition, infection, environmental exposures, and the pregnant person’s overall health influence fetal size and growth.
Small for Gestational Age
“Small for gestational age” is a term that refers to a fetus that is smaller or less developed than usual. This is also referred to asintrauterine growth restriction. Babies with a birth weight below the 10th percentile are considered small for gestational age.
Possible causes of being small for gestational age include:
Infants who are small for gestational age are at higher risk of experiencing:
Large for Gestational Age
“Large for gestational age” is a term referring to a fetus larger or more developed than average. Babies with a birth weight above the 90th percentile are considered large for gestational age.
Possible causes of large gestational age include:
Babies who are born large for gestational age are at a higher risk of experiencing:
A fundal height measurement is a noninvasive tool. There is no risk associated with this exam. It is important to note that fundal height is not always accurate and may vary depending on the healthcare provider’s technique, the pregnant person’s weight gain, and other factors.
For this reason, it is important to verify any abnormal findings with an ultrasound immediately. Research estimates that 75% to 90% of fetal growth abnormalities go undiagnosed until birth.
Summary
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lee ACC, Whelan R, Bably NN, et al.Prediction of gestational age with symphysis-fundal height and estimated uterine volume in a pregnancy cohort in Sylhet, Bangladesh.BMJ Open. 2020;10(3):e034942. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034942Papageorghiou AT, Ohuma EO, Gravett MG, et al.International standards for symphysis-fundal height based on serial measurements from the Fetal Growth Longitudinal Study of the INTERGROWTH-21st Project: prospective cohort study in eight countries.BMJ. 2016;355:i5662. doi:10.1136/bmj.i5662Whelan R, Schaeffer L, Olson I, et al.Measurement of symphysis fundal height for gestational age estimation in low-to-middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PLoS One. 2022;17(8):e0272718. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0272718MedlinePlus.Small for gestational age (SGA).MedlinePlus.Large for gestational age (LGA).Haragan AF, Hulsey TC, Hawk AF, Newman RB, Chang EY.Diagnostic accuracy of fundal height and handheld ultrasound-measured abdominal circumference to screen for fetal growth abnormalities.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2015;212(6):820.e1-820.e8208. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2015.03.042
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lee ACC, Whelan R, Bably NN, et al.Prediction of gestational age with symphysis-fundal height and estimated uterine volume in a pregnancy cohort in Sylhet, Bangladesh.BMJ Open. 2020;10(3):e034942. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034942Papageorghiou AT, Ohuma EO, Gravett MG, et al.International standards for symphysis-fundal height based on serial measurements from the Fetal Growth Longitudinal Study of the INTERGROWTH-21st Project: prospective cohort study in eight countries.BMJ. 2016;355:i5662. doi:10.1136/bmj.i5662Whelan R, Schaeffer L, Olson I, et al.Measurement of symphysis fundal height for gestational age estimation in low-to-middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PLoS One. 2022;17(8):e0272718. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0272718MedlinePlus.Small for gestational age (SGA).MedlinePlus.Large for gestational age (LGA).Haragan AF, Hulsey TC, Hawk AF, Newman RB, Chang EY.Diagnostic accuracy of fundal height and handheld ultrasound-measured abdominal circumference to screen for fetal growth abnormalities.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2015;212(6):820.e1-820.e8208. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2015.03.042
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lee ACC, Whelan R, Bably NN, et al.Prediction of gestational age with symphysis-fundal height and estimated uterine volume in a pregnancy cohort in Sylhet, Bangladesh.BMJ Open. 2020;10(3):e034942. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034942Papageorghiou AT, Ohuma EO, Gravett MG, et al.International standards for symphysis-fundal height based on serial measurements from the Fetal Growth Longitudinal Study of the INTERGROWTH-21st Project: prospective cohort study in eight countries.BMJ. 2016;355:i5662. doi:10.1136/bmj.i5662Whelan R, Schaeffer L, Olson I, et al.Measurement of symphysis fundal height for gestational age estimation in low-to-middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PLoS One. 2022;17(8):e0272718. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0272718MedlinePlus.Small for gestational age (SGA).MedlinePlus.Large for gestational age (LGA).Haragan AF, Hulsey TC, Hawk AF, Newman RB, Chang EY.Diagnostic accuracy of fundal height and handheld ultrasound-measured abdominal circumference to screen for fetal growth abnormalities.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2015;212(6):820.e1-820.e8208. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2015.03.042
Lee ACC, Whelan R, Bably NN, et al.Prediction of gestational age with symphysis-fundal height and estimated uterine volume in a pregnancy cohort in Sylhet, Bangladesh.BMJ Open. 2020;10(3):e034942. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034942
Papageorghiou AT, Ohuma EO, Gravett MG, et al.International standards for symphysis-fundal height based on serial measurements from the Fetal Growth Longitudinal Study of the INTERGROWTH-21st Project: prospective cohort study in eight countries.BMJ. 2016;355:i5662. doi:10.1136/bmj.i5662
Whelan R, Schaeffer L, Olson I, et al.Measurement of symphysis fundal height for gestational age estimation in low-to-middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PLoS One. 2022;17(8):e0272718. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0272718
MedlinePlus.Small for gestational age (SGA).
MedlinePlus.Large for gestational age (LGA).
Haragan AF, Hulsey TC, Hawk AF, Newman RB, Chang EY.Diagnostic accuracy of fundal height and handheld ultrasound-measured abdominal circumference to screen for fetal growth abnormalities.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2015;212(6):820.e1-820.e8208. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2015.03.042
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
