How to measure the abdominal circumference during pregnancy?
Measurements are taken at the clinic during a gynecologist's appointment. A regular measuring tape is used for this.Circumference of the abdomen during pregnancy can tell about the diseases at an early stage. Photo: Getty To ensure that the indicators were as accurate as possible, a number of rules should be observed:
- The circumference of the abdomen is measured in a horizontal position, there is no sagging of peritoneal tissue. Do not bend your knees
- The bladder should be emptied.
- The centimeter passes through two control points. In front - umbilical cavity. Behind - the maximum deflection of the spine.
Only if these rules are observed, the doctor can trust the results obtained.
Circumference of the abdomen during pregnancy: the norm in different periods
There is no universal norm figure.Here, several factors need to be taken into account: individual characteristics of the body, the girl's constitution before childbirth, the number of pregnancies before this. With multiple pregnancies, the abdominal circumference is always larger than with a single pregnancy. But there are average statistical indicators. So, if at the twentieth week the abdominal circumference fluctuates in the range of 70-75 cm, then by the end of the third trimester it can reach 95-100 cm. If the abdominal circumference is more or less than normal, you need to sound the alarm. This can be due to various factors. For example:
- Exceeding the size may indicate an incorrect presentation of the fetus, which often causes complications in childbirth, about polyhydramnios, obesity, the development of chorionepithelioma (a cancerous tumor).
- If the circumference is less than normal, it can beis associated with an ectopic pregnancy, with a deviation in the development of the fetus (hypotrophy), which occurs as a result of fetoplacental insufficiency, or with malnutrition. Also, this situation can arise when you are pestering.
Under no circumstances should you make a diagnosis yourself, only the doctor should measure the circumference of the abdomen. After discovering the abnormalities, he will prescribe additional studies to reveal their presence.