Fundal Height

Regala, Bianca Ysabelle M.

RLE Group IV
BSN II-B
 Fundal Height

The measurement of the size of the mother’s uterus to

assess if the baby is growing properly.
 How?
Symphysis Pubis Fundus
 Cartilage joint found in between the  Top part of the uterus.
pubic bone.
 Steps in measuring the Fundal Height

1. Lay the patient on their back

 Watch out for the hypotension, as a pregnant mother lay her
back it compresses major vessels and she can have
hypotension.
 Watch out for dizziness, nausea and lightheaded.
2. Get a tape measure, then extend the tape measure from symphysis
pubis up to the fundus of the uterus. (Measured in centimeters)

The measurement should matches the gestational age.

Measurement of the Fundal Height
 During:
Above symphysis
pubis: 12 weeks
Measurement of the Fundal Height

At the belly button:

20 weeks

belly button
Measurement of the Fundal Height
In between the belly button and
symphysis pubis:
16 weeks (halfway)
Measurement of the Fundal Height

After 20-36 weeks fundal

height will reflect weeks of
pregnancy ±2cm
Measurement of the Fundal Height

Xiphoid process In Xiphoid process:

36 weeks
Measurement of the Fundal Height

Around 37-40 weeks the

fundus moves down by 4cm
37-40 weeks because the body of the
mother is preparing for giving
birth to the baby. The baby
has settled down into the
pelvic cavity.
 Measurement of the Fundal Height

 After giving birth:

1 hour after birth-
Before giving birth Belly Button

An hour after
giving birth
 The size of the fundus decrease 1cm per day
 24 hours after giving birth – 1 cm. below belly button
 48 hours after giving birth – 2cm. below belly button
 7 days – located at the symphysis pubis
 10-14 days – cannot be palpated (pelvic cavity)
 6 weeks after giving birth it is back to its prepregnancy size
Thank you 