When measuring the fundal height of a primigravid client at 20 weeks' gestation, the nurse will locate the fundal height at which point?

When measuring the fundal height of a primigravid client at 20 weeks' gestation, the nurse will locate the fundal height at which point?

• A. At about the level of the client's umbilicus
• B. At the pubic symphysis
• C. At the xiphoid process
• D. At the knee

Answer: (A)

Fundal height becomes a rough gauge of gestational age once you reach about mid-pregnancy. By around 20 weeks, the uterus typically rises to the level of the umbilicus, so measuring from the pubic symphysis up to the top of the fundus places the fundus at roughly the level of the umbilicus. This landmark helps nurses estimate whether growth is on track. Before this point, the fundus is lower—around the pubic symphysis in early pregnancy—so its level is not yet at the umbilicus. After about 36 weeks the measurement becomes less precise as the uterus caps over the pelvis and other factors can alter height. In short, at 20 weeks in a first pregnancy, you expect the fundus to be at the level of the umbilicus.

Fundal height becomes a rough gauge of gestational age once you reach about mid-pregnancy. By around 20 weeks, the uterus typically rises to the level of the umbilicus, so measuring from the pubic symphysis up to the top of the fundus places the fundus at roughly the level of the umbilicus. This landmark helps nurses estimate whether growth is on track. Before this point, the fundus is lower—around the pubic symphysis in early pregnancy—so its level is not yet at the umbilicus. After about 36 weeks the measurement becomes less precise as the uterus caps over the pelvis and other factors can alter height. In short, at 20 weeks in a first pregnancy, you expect the fundus to be at the level of the umbilicus.