Pregnant and Measuring Big or Small?

In general, after 20 weeks, your fundal height (the distance from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus) should pretty much equal the number of weeks you’ve been pregnant. So, if you start measuring more than two centimeters off in either direction, your OB will probably schedule you for an ultrasound to check things out.

Possible reasons for measuring large:

• You simply have a big, healthy baby
• Your due date was wrong
• You’re carrying twins or more
• You have too much amniotic fluid
• Baby is especially high in the uterus
• You have gestational diabetes (which can lead to bigger babies)

Possible reasons for measuring small:

• You have a small baby
• Your due date was wrong
• There could be an intrauterine growth restriction which is when baby is below the tenth percentile for its age; it could be due to many reasons: placenta problems, heart disease in the mother, even high altitudes
• You have too little amniotic fluid

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.