Fundal height way off - not sure what to do?

[youngsoul]

At my last few appointments, my fundal height hasn't been over 34 weeks. I'm now 38.5 weeks along. My midwife doesn't seem too concerned about it, but of course I'm obsessing over what might be the reason and whether it's problematic. (Not to mention, I think I'm a little more interventionist than my midwife is - I believe in using science/technology in certain situations and I'm not sure that she does...which worries me a tad.)

Does anyone have any thoughts about this? Has anyone experienced it? Would you get it checked out or just let it be?

Thank you, as always, for your wise responses!

[Family4Christ]

I know that fundal height varies from baby's position and will even go backwards once they drop. I have measured consistently 2 weeks behind and now I'm going backwards, but my babe has gotten lower.

I don't worry too much about fundal height, as so much affects it. I know that doesn't help you much, but I thought I would mention that.

[waterjen]

at 36 weeks i started measuring under, where before at every appt i was right on...
our midwife said that at this point it has to do with genetics, the size of baby should keep getting a little bigger but will depend on genetics of parents (dh and i are both super tiny)
last 38 week appt. i measured 35/36. the previous week we were 36. but, the baby had engaged between the two weeks...so still was ok...
don't know if this helps, but it might be why she's not concerned...

is the baby still moving lots?

[GriffsKat]

Last week I measured 37 weeks (I was 36) and this week I measured 33, the baby had dropped. Very normal. I wouldn't worry about it. It's actually a good thing, he's getting close to coming out!

[youngsoul]

Thanks much, Kari and Jennifer - I'm definitely pretty sure there has been no engagement/dropping...and my midwife confirmed that last week (although I've only seen her twice, so she didn't know the position of my uterus/fundus before 36 weeks.)

I'm getting fairly steady movement still - nothing extremely active (like before) but definitely within the 10 movements every 2 hours guidelines. It has slowed down a tad within the last few days...I'm assuming that's due to space constraints...?

I am on the petite side (typically 5'3", 115-120 lbs) but my SO is 6'1" so I didn't expect a totally small baby.

Thanks again for your thoughts!

[moderngal]

mine has been all over the place- baby was breech, then turned, then changing between anterior and posterior and now she's dropped. if your midwife isn't concerned, I wouldn't be either.

[HinesMaMa]

Yes, and I am actually getting an ultrasound tomorrow just to check it out at my 38 week appt.. The baby has noticeably dropped and neither myself or the midwife are to worried about it, but she just wants to be extra sure. I see a different midwife every time I go so the one who ordered the ultrasound has never really measured me in the past. I already told her that I hide my babies well.

[Charmie981]

My fundal height never went over 35 in my first or my third pregnancies. #1 went to 39w and he weighed 9#4oz. #3 was 7lb7oz at 37w. I wouldn't worry about a 34cm FH. After a certain point (34-36w), it's not a really good indicator of fetal growth/well-being anyway.

[spanica]

At 35 weeks, I measured 32. At 36 weeks, I measured 26, and they sent me to do NST and u/s to make sure all was well, which it was. At 38 weeks (a few days ago), I measured 35. I'm not sure I'm too concerned with the measurement anymore. I trust my body to do what it needs to do, even if I'm smaller than "normal."