Doesn't measure fundal height?

[Nenibay]

Should I be concerned that my OB doesn't measure fundal height? She said she goes by feel and each individual vs a number that doesn't always apply to everyone.
I just worry she wouldn't catch if I was measuring small/large due to something like fluid or issues?
Anyone else have an OB with a similar approach?

[FastHands]

Is that where they take a belly measurement? I was actually thinking about this at my last appointment, but I'm assuming it's not normal to do until much later anyway (I'm 19w). No clue about how common/necessary it is in general, though.

[Deleted]

My new obgyn does not do this and I requested that she check. I had IUGR with my last pregnancy and I think it is insane that across the board checking fundal height is not standard.

[obladi]

I just saw my doctor last week for my 16w visit and he measured mine really fast and not with a tape measure or anything. He just said "at 16 weeks you should be two fingers below the bellybutton (checks) and you are-looks good!" Nothing very scientific.

[missbella]

My midwife didn't start measuring until 24 weeks. The first time she had a med student with her and he did it and said I was a little behind but my midwife told him that the baby was off to the side a little so you have to take that into account. So it would seem that she measures with the tape and kind of eyeballs it at the same time.

[Nenibay]

Apr 18, 2014 12:53:04 GMT -5 jjwritergirl said:

I wouldn't worry. If she's been doing this for a long time I bet she really is capable of feeling when something is wrong. I've wondered whether the measuring is really effective anyway because everyone's stomach starts out at a different size/level of flatness (anyone can answer that if they know).

She has been doing this for 20yrs so I'm not doubting her expertise too much, just surprised to not see it done. I'm 26weeks and my weight and other things have been progressing typically I guess. I don't care as much about the actual # vs how does she know what "normal" is if there is no measurement. Maybe this doesn't make sense and I'm looking into it too much. I'm a worry wort and tend to doubt everything that goes smoothly in my life, lol.

[ringstrue]

You mean like just with the tape measure? It's sort of a silly thing since it doesn't account for your body fat, height, etc. The u/s measurements are what you really wanna go by anyway.

[statlerwaldorf]

My ob doesn't, but I have a growth u/s every 4 weeks from 27 weeks. I'm not sure if they do that for everyone or if it's because I have GD. She feels with her fingers, but doesn't get out the tape measure like my old ob.

[curbsideprophet]

At my office they start that measurement at 28 weeks.

[starlily]

My OB didn't do this with a.tape measure until my 24 week appt. Prior to that he just felt my uterus.

[Myrrhine]

At my practice they have been measuring me since 16 or 20 weeks. It might just be to give the med students practice though. Some of them desperately need it. The last one awkwardly laid the tape over my stomach and fumbled with it for a few seconds before just giving up entirely.

[gretchenindisguise]

I get that it doesn't take into account weight and flat stomach prior to pregnancy, but for my last pregnancy it was important to know that I didn't grow from wks 36ish-39w6d when I delivered. It turned out that there wasn't an issue with iugr, but I'm glad we had measurements to ping a warning.

I wouldn't be concerned about the measurement compared to others, but compared to myself, kwim?

[Nenibay]

Apr 18, 2014 22:27:37 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

I get that it doesn't take into account weight and flat stomach prior to pregnancy, but for my last pregnancy it was important to know that I didn't grow from wks 36ish-39w6d when I delivered. It turned out that there wasn't an issue with iugr, but I'm glad we had measurements to ping a warning.

I wouldn't be concerned about the measurement compared to others, but compared to myself, kwim?

Yeah. This is my concern. I'm going to bring it up next apt and ask how she can tell that baby is growing week to week. Thanks!