Why Would I Measure Farther Along?
QUESTION
Dear Midwife,
Everything I have read states that around 16-17 weeks I should be able to feel my uterus just below my belly button. However, at my last appointment, my OB stated that my uterus was already at my belly button and I am suppose to only be 13 weeks. Does this mean that I am further along or my body is just different from the norm?
My due date is 09/12.
Thank you.
ANSWER
There are lots of possibilities--the most common being wrong dates. But some women just carry very high, are overweight, or have a fibroid, and occasionally twins over expand this early. Often an ultrasound can sort it out.
-- Cynthia, CNM
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Cynthia Flynn
Cynthia Flynn, CNM. PhD, teaches in the College of Nursing at Seattle University and is President of the American Association of Birth Centers. She also practices midwifery at Valley Medical Center where she cares for pregnant and birthing women, and practices well-woman gynecology, family planning, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
Cynthia founded Columbia Women's Clinic and Birth Center, where she took care of pregnant women and infants up to two weeks of age and attended both birth center and hospital births. Before Cynthia earned her CNM, she worked as a registered nurse in labor and delivery and postpartum and is a certified Doula and Doula trainer.
Cynthia hosts a monthly "Ask the midwife" chat as well as answers questions via our expert section.
Listen to Cynthia live on Pregnancy.org Live: Before, During and After.
