Chapter 8: Prenatal checkups
Check the baby
Measure the mother’s womb
Healthy signs
• The size of the womb matches the due date.
• The womb grows about 2 finger widths every month.
Wa r nin g s ig n s
• The size of the womb does not match the due date the first time you check.
• The womb grows more or less than 2 finger widths every month.
When you measure the womb, you check to see where the top of the womb is.
This will show you 3 things:
1. How many months the woman is pregnant now.
2. The probable due date. If you were able to figure out the due date from the
mother’s last monthly bleeding (see page 88), measuring the womb can help
you see if this due date is probably correct. If you were unable to figure out
her due date from her monthly bleeding, measuring the womb can help you
figure out a probable due date. This should be done during the first checkup.
3. How fast the baby is growing. At each checkup, measure the womb to see
if the baby is growing at a normal rate. If it is growing very fast or very slow,
there may be a problem.
How to measure the womb
As the baby grows inside the womb, you
can feel the womb grow bigger
in the mother’s belly. The top of the
womb moves about 2 finger widths
higher each month. At 3 months,
the top of the womb is usually just
above the mother’s pubic bone
(where her pubic hair begins).
At about 5 months, the top of
the womb is usually right at
the mother’s bellybutton.
At 8≤ to 9 months, the top of the womb is almost up to the mother’s ribs. Babies
may drop lower in the weeks just before birth.
To feel the womb, have the mother lie on her back with some support under her
head and knees. Your touch should be firm but gentle.
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A Book for Midwives (2010)