The duration of a pregnancy can be estimated during the physical examination based on the height of uterine fundus.
Technique: The woman should be reclining on her back. Both hands are cupped around the uterine fundus, with the palms in the midclavicular line and the fingers pointing medially.
Fundus Height
Week of Gestation
1-2 fingers above the pubic symphysis
end of 16th week
2-3 fingers below the umbilicus
end of 20th week
at the height of the umbilicus
end of 24th week
2-3 fingers above the umbilicus
end of 28th week
halfway between the umbilicus and xiphoid process
end of 32th week
at the ribcage
end of 36th week
fundus drops lower in the abdomen
during 37th week
1-2 fingers below the rib cage
end of 40th week
Limitations:
• The presence of leiomyomata along the fundus can make the pregnancy seem more advanced that it actually is.
• Obese women may be hard to evaluate.
• The findings are unreliable in the presence of a multiple gestation.
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