How to measure uterine height and abdominal circumference: essential pregnancy monitoring skills for expectant mothers
During pregnancy, regular measurement of uterine height and abdominal circumference is one of the important methods to evaluate fetal growth and development. With the recent increase in the popularity of pregnancy health on social platforms (such as #pregnant mother’s essential skills#, #SCIENTIFIC antenatal checkup guide, etc.), many expectant mothers have become very interested in how to correctly measure uterine height and abdominal circumference. This article will introduce the measurement methods, precautions and reference data in detail to help you master this skill easily.
1. Why should we measure uterine height and abdominal circumference?

Measuring uterine height and abdominal circumference can indirectly reflect fetal size, amniotic fluid volume and uterine position, and is an important step in prenatal check-up. The following are topics related to pregnancy monitoring that have been hotly discussed on the Internet in the past 10 days:
| hot topics | focus of discussion | heat index |
|---|---|---|
| # Third trimester precautions# | Treatment of abnormal uterine height growth | 850,000 |
| # Self-testing pregnancy indicators at home# | Sharing of Home Monitoring Tips | 620,000 |
| #What to do if the fetus is too small# | Uterine height, abdominal circumference and nutritional supplements | 780,000 |
2. Preparation work before measurement
1.Tool preparation: Soft ruler, record book
2.Time selection: It is recommended to measure at the same time every week (such as waking up in the morning on an empty stomach)
3.Postural requirements: Lie on your back, straighten your legs, and relax your abdominal muscles
3. Specific measurement steps
| Measurement items | How to operate | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| Palace height measurement | The vertical distance from the upper edge of the pubic symphysis to the bottom of the uterus | The soft ruler needs to be kept parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body |
| Abdominal circumference measurement | The horizontal length around the most prominent part of the abdomen | Measure at the end of expiration to avoid over-tightening |
4. Reference value range for each gestational age
The following are reference standards (unit: cm) based on clinical data:
| Gestational age | Palace height reference value | Abdominal circumference reference value |
|---|---|---|
| 20 weeks | 18-22 | 76-89 |
| 24 weeks | 22-26 | 80-94 |
| 28 weeks | 26-30 | 85-100 |
| 32 weeks | 29-33 | 89-105 |
| 36 weeks | 32-37 | 94-110 |
5. Identification and handling of abnormal situations
1.Palace height is low: It may indicate fetal growth restriction and needs to be combined with B-ultrasound examination
2.Palace height is too high: Common in polyhydramnios or multiple pregnancy
3.Measurement data fluctuates greatly: Check whether the measurement method is standard and review if necessary.
6. Compilation of recent hot questions and answers
| High frequency problem | Professional answers |
|---|---|
| Will the fetal movement during measurement affect the results? | Fetal movement has little impact on static measurements. It is recommended to measure when the fetus is quiet. |
| How do twins determine standard values? | It needs to be increased by 2-4cm based on the standard value, which will be evaluated by the doctor. |
| What should I do if there is a big difference between the self-assessment data and the hospital data? | Prioritize the hospital measurement and check whether the home measurement method is correct. |
7. Expert advice
1. It is recommended to measure and record regularly starting from the 20th week of pregnancy.
2. When abnormal data is found, seek medical treatment promptly and avoid self-interpretation.
3. Comprehensive assessment of fetal status combined with fetal movement counting, weight monitoring, etc.
By mastering the correct method of measuring uterine height and abdominal circumference, expectant mothers can more proactively participate in health management during pregnancy. Recent discussions on social platforms show that scientific monitoring has become the consensus among modern pregnant mothers, and it is recommended to regularly compare self-test data with prenatal check-up results to protect the healthy growth of the baby.
check the details
check the details