What distinguishes a pregnant woman from the rest? That's right, tummy! It is an indispensable and very welcome attribute, and at the same time brings many experiences and fears. This is not surprising, because you can hear so many different signs about the shape of the abdomen, and at the same time its dimensions indicate scientifically grounded facts. Therefore, our today's conversation will be dedicated to your tummies, namely their size.
The circumference of the abdomen during pregnancy changes not uniformly, but in abrupt changes. Until 12-14 weeks, the tummy is almost invisible, and outsiders can only guess about its presence. In this period of pregnancy, the uterus in size can be compared with a large orange. And on the circumference of her stomach, it has not affected much yet. But the longer the gestation period, the faster the uterus will grow in size.
Why measure the circumference of the abdomen during pregnancy?
Starting from 15 weeks, your gynecologist will regularly measure the abdominal circumference and the height of the standing of the uterus day. Analyzing these data in dynamics, it is possible to notice violations of the norms of fetal growth and other factors in time.
One of them is the calculation of the approximate body weight of the fetus. For this, the height of the standing of the uterus bottom is multiplied by the circumference of the abdomen of the pregnant woman. The figure obtained is the approximate mass of the fruit in grams. Gynecologists argue that the error of this method is 150-200 grams. And moms at the same time call a much larger error, up to a kilogram. Such a difference can be caused by additional factors affecting the abdominal circumference during pregnancy (pre-pregnancy circumference, propensity to fullness and much more).
Also, the dynamics of changes in the circumference of the abdomen for weeks of pregnancy may allow the doctor to identify in time the lack of hydration or hydration, and take appropriate measures. The logic here is simple, and even at home you can independently make appropriate measurements.
How correctly to measure a circumference of a stomach or belly?
- Before starting the procedure, it is necessary to empty the bladder.
- Measurements of the abdomen must be made only while lying down. The surface must be firm and level.
- The legs of the pregnant woman should lie straight, and not bent at the knees.
- The abdomen is measured in the lumbar region of the back, and the navel is in front.
The norm of the abdominal circumference by weeks
During the discussion, you probably have a ripe question: "And what is the norm of the circumference of the abdomen?" But there is no unequivocal answer, and there will not be. In this issue, as in many others, everything is very individual. We will give only approximate indicators of the norm of the circumference of the abdomen for weeks of pregnancy.
| Week of pregnancy | Circumference of the abdomen |
|---|---|
| Week 32 | 85-90 cm |
| 36 weeks | 90-95 cm |
| 40 weeks | 95-100 cm |
But do not be in a hurry if you do not fit in! Remember that such an indicator as the abdominal circumference is informative in dynamics. And one dimension can not say anything.
Finally, we will dispel another common myth about the circumference of the abdomen during pregnancy. It is believed that the size of the stomach directly affects the weight of the fetus, as well as what the pregnant woman eats. This statement is correct only partially. In fact, in women with a large abdominal circumference, both large and small and medium-sized toddlers meet equally. The same applies to small tummies, they often live well-nourished babies. And the weight of the baby does not affect the size of the mother's abdomen, it is influenced by very different factors, which have already been mentioned.