what does it mean if you're measuring big?

I've read a few posters say they are '23 weeks but measuring 28 weeks' or similar remarks. What does this mean? What is the measurement they're using?

Thanks!

 

this is the fundal height (how high your uterus is). With a single pregnancy you measure approximately 1 cm for each week pregnant you are. With twins you are farther ahead. At my last appointment I measured 31 weeks (cm) but I am 23 weeks. Hope this makes things a little clearer for you!

By the way, many doctors don't measure this with twins because it doesn't really tell them anything.

 

I wouldn't worry about getting measured. Even in the same practice some docs will measure others won't. My regular OB measures me but I've only seen him like 3 times since I've gotten over the 20 week hump. (Usually most docs won't start measuring on a singleton until 20 weeks.)

 

I got measured for the first time at my last appointment. Like the others said, there's not much point with twins. I measured 22 1/2 weeks at 20 weeks. So not too bad really!

FYI...to do a fundal height measurement you measure from the top of your pubic bone to the top of your uterus. I think I heard that when your uterus reaches your belly button, that is 20 cm.

Cary

 

Hmmm.... I didn't know this.... I think my nurse said I was 38 cm at my last appt. Could that be right???? Kinda scary isn't it???

Shannon

 

Whoa! Fundal height measurement is very important if you are not having frequent u/s! It is an excellent way to track fetal growth and keep an eye on fluid measurements. If your fundal growth does not change from appointment to appointment, you have problems! If it grows an insane amount, that could be a problem with fluid. At 28 weeks I measured 42 weeks which was a 9 cm increase from my last appointment. An U/s was done immediately and I was admitted!! This is the day we learned I had a lot of problems, including TTTS. I was having u/s every 2 weeks and measured every week. Comparing fundal heights of a singleton pregnany and multiple pregnancy isn't what the OB should be looking for , he/she should be comparing your personal fundal height from one week to the next.

 

QUOTE(momof5 @ Jul 16 2007, 01:05 AM) [snapback]332221[/snapback]
Whoa! Fundal height measurement is very important if you are not having frequent u/s! It is an excellent way to track fetal growth and keep an eye on fluid measurements. If your fundal growth does not change from appointment to appointment, you have problems! If it grows an insane amount, that could be a problem with fluid. At 28 weeks I measured 42 weeks which was a 9 cm increase from my last appointment. An U/s was done immediately and I was admitted!! This is the day we learned I had a lot of problems, including TTTS. I was having u/s every 2 weeks and measured every week. Comparing fundal heights of a singleton pregnany and multiple pregnancy isn't what the OB should be looking for , he/she should be comparing your personal fundal height from one week to the next.

Thanks for clearing that up, I didn't know that!

 

Hi,

I was also told they are measuring how high your uterus is according by singleton pregnancy standards. But, as another post says, there are other reasons for monitoring a patient's fundal height. The first time I was measured was at 17 weeks and was measuring 20. At 19 and 21 weeks (yes, my OB has had me going to see her every two weeks from the beginning!) I was measuring four weeks ahead each time. She said this last time that even without ultrasounds, they'd be really suspicious by now that I was pg with twins from the measurements alone. That's what happens when you're carrying two babies instead of one .