Midwife hasn't measured fundal height?

[fizzypop]

So I'm 28 weeks and my midwife has never measured my fundal height. Doesn't this need to be done to check my baby's growth? I thought she should start measuring from 25 weeks?

I'm getting a bit annoyed with her, she didn't send off my prescription form or refer me to the obstetrician when she said she would. She doesn't even take my blood for testing, I have to go elsewhere for that. AND she always gives me my urine sample back!! Why do I need it?!

Also, is GTT testing done routinely? She mentioned it but hasn't done anything about it? Do I need this doing?

I feel lost and like I'm not getting the care I need! But I don't know what I'm supposed to have?!

 

[rosie5637]

my midwife measured me for first time @26wks. i'm not sure what the 'rules' are though.
i normally go to blood test dept cause they are more practised (hurts less, i'm needle phobic) and because i can choose a time that suits me better.
it would be nice if your midwife could empty your sample bottle ew! mine always gives it a rinse before she gives it back
GTT is not routine over here. they would only do it if they found sugar in your urine samples, you put on excessive weight or were showing other signs of diabetes.

i would just ask her about the measuring next time, i'm sure she'd do it for you then.

good luck

 

[NicolaWynne]

I would definately ask her to do it next time you see her. I have mine measured and i know your supposed to, so i dont see why you shouldnt have yours measured.

x

 

[lalitas charm]

Fundal height measuring isn't standard, my GP did it a few weeks ago as she thought I was concerned about the size of my bump (which I wasn't but she's lovely) and anyway it isn't particularly accurate so I wouldn't let that bother me.

Its not nice that she give you your sample back!! I always get a new bottle, otherwise it's pretty gross!! Yuck!!

There aren't many bloods taken in pregnancy and every hospital will have their own procedures about them.

GTT as you have been advised is only properly tested if there are symptoms which cause concern so again don't worry about that.

I haven't seen my MW since 11 weeks!! I'm attending the GP, I've a consultant's appointment on Tues as I've been getting a lot of pelvic pain otherwise I wouldn't see anyone at the hospital until 34 weeks!! I'm not a bit bothered though.

 

[Christy21]

Whilst it is true it is not that accurate she should be doing it. You should have been given a growth chart at your 20 wk scan which gets put into your green notes and then you are normally measured at each app from 26weeks. Give her a call and tell her that would want it doing. You could try asking someone to do it home whilst you are waiting just to put your mind at ease. Use a soft tape measure and lie down semi recumbant with an empty bladder and measure down from the top of your bump to the top of your pubic bone. X

 

[GracieGoo]

Hiya,

Had to reply as my midwife always gives me my pee sample back as well! Rank!! I always take it, but then get rid of it at home, and send hubby for a fresh pot from the docs!! lol... My issue to I have had problems with my (protein, glucose, blood, and ketones all at differing points), surely they should give you a fresh, sterile container!! Talk about cost cutting!!

With fundal height, I would just ask he, although I have heard some places dont use it anymore as it can be so inaccurate. I always measure way ahead, I have had a growth scan and I am bang on, now I just take it that baby continues to grow, but I can tell that myself! I would just ask her outright, and at least you know then. Good Luck!

 

[Laurenmomma]

My midwife gives pee back too! I think it's so we can get rid of it more hygienic ally!

Iv only ever had fundal height measured once at 31 weeks an that was because baby was measuring big at scan, every other appointment iv had they have wrote the number of weeks I am in the fundal height but never actually done it which annoys me! I'm gona ask for it to be done this week x

 

[fairykate]

So I'm 28 weeks and my midwife has never measured my fundal height. Doesn't this need to be done to check my baby's growth? I thought she should start measuring from 25 weeks?

I'm getting a bit annoyed with her, she didn't send off my prescription form or refer me to the obstetrician when she said she would. She doesn't even take my blood for testing, I have to go elsewhere for that. AND she always gives me my urine sample back!! Why do I need it?!

Also, is GTT testing done routinely? She mentioned it but hasn't done anything about it? Do I need this doing?

I feel lost and like I'm not getting the care I need! But I don't know what I'm supposed to have?!

Fundal height measuring normally only starts at about 28 weeks (before that it's not accurate), so she should start to measure this now.

You need to send off the prescription form, not her. She should sign it and give it to you though - this was done for me at my booking in app, I then posted it and received my card about a week later

I go to the hospital to have my bloods taken too - pretty sure that's standard. They then send her the results. I always get given my sample back too - that's so you can take it home and re-use the bottle!!

GTT is only done if you are overweight or at another risk for it, it isn't standard in this country. It's not a pleasant test tbh so you're kinda lucky you don't have to have it (I had no symptoms, I'm just a bit overweight lol)

You've had exactly the same experience as me, pretty standard for our area (I'm just across the river from you, in north Kent) I think. She's doing what she should be doing hun

 

[readytotry]

The urine sample thing is so that you use it again as getting a new one each time you go creates unnecessary waste.
My midwife measured fundal height from 25weeks but said she was only really doing it for my information, as they don't really use it anymore. It's a bit like how some midwives listen for the heartbeat early on and some don't. I bet she'd do it if you asked.
GTT is only given in the UK if you have family history, high bmi or another risk factor - or - if you have any symptoms (sugar in urine, baby measuring big, possibly reduced fetal movement). It's the consequences that are dangerous not the diabetes itself so if you had it but never knew then the baby would be fine - i.e. correct size, amount of fluid, placenta functioning well.
Sadly because of the shortage of midwives they are all a bit overstretched and sometimes you have to be a bit pushy and chase them up to do things. That is why bnb is so helpful because it lets you know what other people are doing.

 

[Daisy1986]

Mine measured me first at 28 weeks x

 

[Button#]

Mine hasn't measured me but has told me bump looks a good size so I'm not too worried. I also have to go elsewhere for my blood tests which is a bit of a pain but they do that for any blood tests not just the ones I've had while pregnant.

Mine also gives me back my urine sample but as they like you to reuse the pots to save waste why should they have to wash it up for you?

I haven't had the GTT and I'm so glad I haven't because it sounds nasty.

 

[Elizax]

So I'm 28 weeks and my midwife has never measured my fundal height. Doesn't this need to be done to check my baby's growth? I thought she should start measuring from 25 weeks?

I'm getting a bit annoyed with her, she didn't send off my prescription form or refer me to the obstetrician when she said she would. She doesn't even take my blood for testing, I have to go elsewhere for that. AND she always gives me my urine sample back!! Why do I need it?!

Also, is GTT testing done routinely? She mentioned it but hasn't done anything about it? Do I need this doing?

I feel lost and like I'm not getting the care I need! But I don't know what I'm supposed to have?!

I didn't start getting my fundal height measured until 28 weeks.
No idea why she is giving you your urine sample back though, they normally have a sink and waste bin they can dispose of it in.
I had my first and last GTT test at 10 weeks, it's not really routine it's usually a one or two time test.

Tell your midwife the issues or ring up the doctors your with and speak with them about her, every woman should feel like they are getting the proper care and attention they need during pregnancy

 

[xxsteffyxx]

My first FHM was at 32 weeks

- Edit -

My doctors surgery also give the urine sample back as they are not allowed to dispose of it anymore. It just changes surgery to surgery, different rules, regulations and such xx

 

[Mummy_to_be87]

My midwife/doctor hasnt measured me at all and Im 34 weeks

She said the baby is high and at the right area in my tummy, she always listens to the heartbeat and checks bloods and urine.

Id advise you to talk to your midwife/doctor about anything that is concerning you, my doctor gets an earful all the time when I go in with a list of worries and concerns

 

[bbyno1]

I got measured at 26weeks-ish with both my pregnancys.
1st time round i was measuring big and got told i needed a scan. They said i was going to have a 10lb baby which scared me quite abit. How wrong they were! 6lb 12.

This time im measuring small so got another scan. They say she is just right!
Another midwife i saw said fundal height doesnt mean a thing. Size of bump doesn't indicate size of baby.

 

[sequeena]

My MW measured it at 30 weeks from what I remember. It didn't matter much in my case though as I was having regular scans.

 

[Lilmiss1]

Experienced mw's and dr's usually can estimate fh without using a tape. Plus it's not accurate and usually 3cm over or under wouldn't cause the mw any concern. Plus I've had different measurements on the same day just because it's a different mw!

 

[fizzypop]

Ah thanks ladies! I feel so much better now. I am comparing my experience with my friend who is in a different part of the country and everything is routine there.

I was going to post my own prescription form but she said she would do it and the pee bottle.. Well she gives me a new one as well! I'm sure it would be safer to dispose of it in clinical waste bins, but there you go!

Thanks guys, I don't feel so much like I'm in the dark anymore!

 

[AllisonH]

She gives you your urine samples back? So weird!! I would find another midwife!!

 

[NewlyMrs]

I am a student midwife (almost qualified lol) and fundal height measurements ARE standard and are apart of the NICE guidelines that midwives HAVE to follow. Should be done from 24wks.

I'm not sure about that handing back the urine thing cos I don't give it back but the sending ladies to get 'bled' elsewhere is usually due to the silly time restrictions or lack of midwives there is in the UK (or lazy midwives).

Hope that helps and look at this:

https://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/11947/40115/40115.pdf