Are fundal measurements necessary?

[Arghhhh]

Ok, bear with me, I'm a bit rubbish at internet stuff, hence my nickname! But thought I might be able to find out what use fundal measurements are?

I'm pregnant for the first time, and hate anything medical, so much so that when the receptionist at the hospital clinic got a bit funny with me I nearly told her where to stuff their 20 week scan. I have to lie down for injections/blood taking, and generally look jittery and uncomfortable anywhere near a surgery or hospital.

So I'm wondering if its even worth me having measurements that possibly don't do anything, except give you a nice exponential type curve on a chart, and might just give me one more thing to worry about.

So far, I'm not impressed with the amount of information I'm getting. Its only through looking on the internet that I found out my sinusitis symptoms were quite normal as I am at the point where I will excrete more fluids from my system.

Thanks in advance.

[mrsboogie]

I think they do this measurement to check that the baby is growing at the correct rate. Sometimes they stop growing because of serious problems and may need to be kept an eye on, scanned for problems or delivered early. So, the fundal measurements do have a point although in the vast majority of cases they will not have been necessary apart from providing reassurance.

[trixiethepixie]

I know a lot of people say that they are inaccurate, however, for me I found the opposite. My fundal measurement was the first indication that ds wasn't growing right, one of my first symptoms of the pre-eclampsia that I went onto develop.

Are you really not going for your 20 wk scan? I can understand not liking hospitals (hate them myself) but as it's non-invasive, the scans didn't bother me.

[Arghhhh]

I am going for my 20 week scan, but after writing down the diary appointment for the third time, to be told by the dizzy receptionist, oh no Mr such and such doesn't hold a clinic on those days. When we finally agreed a date and time, I replied I'd confirm asap if I had to move for any reason, and she got a bit snotty with me. I don't think I could have looked too pleased really judging by her reaction.

The other problem is that I did say, and I know it perhaps sounds feeble, that I would prefer to see female staff for the time being, simply because I'm petrified of anything medical and having the worry of some unknown bloke (never seen a guy for anything remotely gyno related before) taking the appointment. I'm seeing some chap for my 20 week scan, not looking forward to it.

Add to that the fact that I don't know my past medical history, and they've decided I've got to see a consultant (possibly why its some chap instead of chapess) because I used to be epileptic many, many years ago (very unlikely to recur due to the type of epilepsy) and the medical stuff just stacks up, and I am absolutely dreading it!

The more stuff they keep chucking at me the more I'm sure I'll stress and worry, and that's gonna cause a problem, hence the fundal measurement problem, one less thing to worry about potentially if I opt not to have them.

[itcameuponamidnightexpress]

Oh dear, you sound very stressed. I haven't got much practical advice to offer, but if it helps, (I'm sure you know all this already) the scan and the fundal measurements are completely non-invasive - really just a case of touching your belly. It doesn't hurt at all. The chances are that everything wil be absolutely fine, so perhaps you can try to look at it as a way of giving you less to worry about rather than more? They don't do routine 20 week scans where I live, and I burst into tears in the midwife's office (long story) when I was pg with ds2 because I so wanted to know that everything was OK. They gave me one and it was all fine, and I felt so much happier for the rest of the pg armed with that info. Personally, I think that even if it hadn't been OK, I'd have wanted to know so that I could sort it all out in my head before ds2 arrived. Information is power, as they say.

What do you mean about not knowing your past medical history - do you mean that you're adopted or something like that (ie you don't know your family medical history)?

[mrsboogie]

well, if you are seeing a midwife she will just do the measurements there - maybe you don't realise what they are - its only a question of her putting her hand on your tummy to feel where the uterus has grown to (if I am mistaken about this someone will surely correct me)- that's all there is to it really. It's probably the least invasive/uncomfortable thing about the whole pregnancy experience! I know some use a measuring tape but mine didn't.

The thing about pregnancy is you really have to let go of your dignity and not care whether its a bloke or a woman poking about it can be so undignified it doesn't really matter whether the medical person is male or female. I don't mean to put you off but you will be amazed at the indignities that can be heaped upon you when pregnant and giving birth. You may as well lie back and get used to it

[trixiethepixie]

Was it juvenile epilepsy?

Tbh it was stressful having my fundal measurements not adding up, but it was good in a way because I was sent straight up for a scan. You really are best picking up problems in pg as early as poss, and all those tests are there for a reason. If I hadn't of had my fundal height measured, it would have been weeks before they realised my bp was too high. It was below hypertension but high for me. I was put on meds which probably bought me and ds a couple more vital weeks. He was delivered early and those extra weeks at the end make all the difference for lung development etc.

I know how you feel about seeing the male consultant. Mine was a very old-school frightening type we nicknamed 'doctor death'. Even the midwives seemed scared of him. I just had to go through with though.

[Arghhhh]

Yes I'm adopted, so have no idea what my past medical history is. I'm just relieved I'm not carrying twins, as my partner has them on both sides of his family, and its skipped a generation.

My midwife seems very busy, I told her I had a craving for fruit and nut (not salty) mix and satsumas (very seasonal I thought) to which her response was as long as there was no family history of allergies - she does know the adopted bit. And (whilst on the subject) I really miss blue cheese!!!

My partner is very supportive and will be with me at the scan and for any appointments I feel I need to drag him to, which is a big bonus. I was actually late for my 14 week appointment with the MW, it was more like 15 weeks, mind you, they can't make their mind up about that either - will elaborate in a second. We didn't expect to hear a heart beat, although I really wanted to at the last appointment, and the midwife was quite surprised that as soon as she put the sensor thingamybob on my tum there was a very strong and good heartbeat, brought tears to my eyes (and not just cos the thingamybob was cold).

The other thing, which is a teensy bit annoying, is the dates thing. I actually had a coil in when I conceived; mean the first day of my last period was two weeks and three days before I had the coil removed. To my way of thinking, I'm due mid to end of May, and the baby will darn well come out when its ready, and I can't understand all the fuss about which particular day I'm exactly week ?? - Personally I'm sticking to my dates, but I am just a bit of an independent little so and so.

I've been feeling movement for a good three weeks now (was 17 weeks on Sat, according to my dates). Again, the MW was quite surprised but everything seems to be absolutely fine.

[Arghhhh]

MrsBoogie, its not what they are, its the fact I just hate (and can't stress that enough) anything medical, so if I can cut out anything that might worry me I will. I've got friends chasing me up to make sure I go for MW appointments, and have to take someone with me if I know I have to have bloods taken, because I'd just leave otherwise.

I'm a fairly fit and healthy person, I eat healthily, don't smoke and have given up my favourite blue cheese (might have already mentioned that) - my BP is perfect apparently, so I'm not worried about my health or the health of the baby, I'm just worried about being poked and prodded too much and it all stressing me more than is necessary.

[itcameuponamidnightexpress]

Hmmm, Mrsbooogie speaks wisely. You will have to leave all dignity, modesty and all that at the door of the labour ward, so a bit of practice with a pretty innocuous fundal measurement is not a bad idea, tbh. I was seeing a gynaecologist yesterday and he apologised for asking a rather personal question, and I really had to laugh - when you've had a doctor's hand up your fanjo these things really don't matter too much any more.

[itcameuponamidnightexpress]

How are you feeling about the actual birth Arghhh?

[Arghhhh]

I don't feel so bad about the birth tbh, I've got a very bad back, fell down some stairs a few years ago and really cracked my cockcyx (sp?) - and don't take pain killers for that any more. I want to keep mobile for as long as possible once labour starts, and just take things as they come, starting out with the 'no painkillers please' route, although depending upon what happens I'll just have to see.

Again, thank goodness for a supportive partner!

[MrsMattie]

I'm not a great believer in fundal height measurement. It doesn't seem to be very reliable indicator of anything much at all, imo. However, you should definitely go to all your antenatal appts, as basic and routine as they may seem.
The bloods / urine tests / BP monitoring are important and definitely can indicate problems like gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia and a whole host of other potential problems. taking someone with you if necessary is a great idea - do anything you have to do to feel better about going, but do GO.

Even the healthiest pregnancy can develop complications very suddenly. My last pregnancy was textbook until 36 weeks, when a routine blood test revealed I had quite a serious condition that could have resulted in my baby being stillborn. I'm not trying to scaremonger (honestly), but it pays to be really careful when you're pregnant.

[Arghhhh]

MrsMattie, that's exactly why I take someone with me if I think I'll remotely just wander out again.

Saying that, the last MW appointment ran over by 45 mins, and I very nearly left the waiting room as I knew it was just general stuff. But I persevered (should give myself a gold star for that one).

If I disappear for a bit, its because I've gone vegetable shopping, but am very much appreciating the thoughts/advice.

[trixiethepixie]

I don't like tests and hate hospitals too. Unfortunately I was in and out like a yo-yo and hospitalised for a month, with loads of tests/bloods taken. I didn't want to have a c-s either and was terrified but the one thing I came to realise is that it wasn't about me anymore. I had to go through it all for the health of my baby and had no other choice.

Glad you feel ok about the birth. My partner was fantastic too. It really helps to have a supportive person to lean on.

[mrsboogie]

I understand your hatred of anything medical aaarggh I am the same myself - the feeling of horror and dread that came upon me when I made my first visit to the hospital

but in terms of your original question - the midwife will just put her hand to where the top of your uterus is on your tummy - usually they do this at the same time as listening for the heartbeat. Theres nothing stressful about it (unless something has gone wrong in which case you need to know) and its far more innocuous than the blood taking and urine dipping and all that! I guess I am trying to say that if your are going to be stressed by any of these procedures it shouldn't be the fundal measurement! Did she do it when you had your last appointment?

[Arghhhh]

If she did, I didn't feel a thing! Tbh, I don't think she did any measurements, she wasn't even going to try and hear a heartbeat until I asked if we could.

I think what worries me is whether the measurements are worth anything, everyone's a different body shape, some people will carry a bit different to others, so what value are these measurements, if any? Or will it just be something else to worry me? If everything else is ok, do I need them?

[mrsboogie]

If you'll forgive me for saying I think you might be imagining it to be a bit more than it is - there is no measuring to be exact - she just puts her hand there and feels a bit around the bump and will say something like "that feels about the right size" . She's only looking to see if the baby feels about the right size for your gestation. Its not an exact science and there are no measurements taken.

[Arghhhh]

Ok, its just that when I googled about fundal measurements, the NHS site showed how they measure with a tape measure?? And showed a measurement chart with a couple of lines curving up and across??

[mrsboogie]

oh no, I had none of that - just her hands and the only chart was the one in her head. Some of them may use tapes but its still inexact.

You would only be shown growth charts if there was a problem and that wouldn't be at a routine mw appointment. For example, I developed Gestational diabetes at the end of my pg and had to have extra monitoring and attend a clinic at the hospital where they showed me charts calculated from a scan which said the baby was massive. (He wasn't).

But you wouldn't expect any of that unless there was a problem with the pregnancy.

[hedgepig]

arghhh i think the use os a tape depends on the mw and her experience. my 1st pg she routinely used tape but my second pg different mw she only got the tape out at the later on appointment just to confirm her initial assessment.

[Arghhhh]

I think if they start getting a tape measure out I'll just ask them to keep it in their heads!!!

Statistics and numbers can be so misleading out of context, and as this is my first baby (possibly only, who knows) they haven't got anything to compare with except measurements from other people, which are bound to vary, even if they do follow a 'general' pattern.

[mrsboogie]

well here's hoping your pregnancy goes as swimmingly as the majority do - in which case you won't have any numbers or statistics quoted at you at all ever!