What is the purpose of monitoring fundal height during prenatal exams?

Monitoring fundal height during prenatal exams primarily serves the purpose of assessing fetal growth and well-being. Fundal height is measured from the pubic symphysis to the top of the uterus (fundus) and is a critical indicator of the baby's growth pattern. As a pregnancy progresses, the fundal height typically correlates with gestational age, allowing healthcare providers to determine if the fetus is developing appropriately.

By regularly measuring fundal height, healthcare professionals can track whether the growth is consistent with expected norms for the gestational week. If a measurement shows that the fundal height is significantly larger or smaller than expected, it may signal potential issues such as fetal macrosomia (large baby), intrauterine growth restriction, or other complications that may require further evaluation or intervention.

While monitoring maternal weight gain plays a role in overall maternal health, it does not provide a direct assessment of fetal growth. Measuring uterine contractions is more crucial in the context of labor assessment rather than ongoing evaluations during a healthy pregnancy. Finally, predicting labor onset is typically based on other clinical indicators, not fundal height measurements. Thus, the primary focus of fundal height monitoring is to ensure the fetus is growing well and remains healthy throughout the pregnancy.