Patient's question:
Hello, I am currently 33 weeks pregnant. What other tests do I need to have?Doctor's answer:
Measuring weight, blood pressure, fundal height, abdominal circumference, and listening to fetal heart rate are methods to monitor the health status of the pregnant woman and the growth and development of the fetus at any time.Determining gestational age and size: The larger the gestational age, the more mature the fetus. The size of the fetus can be estimated by calculating the expected due date. Common calculation methods: Start from the first day of the last menstrual period, add 9 or subtract 3 from the month, and add 7 to the day. If using the lunar calendar, the month calculation is the same, but add 14 to the day. For women with irregular periods or who conceive during lactation, the expected due date can be roughly estimated by the date of pregnancy symptoms (add 8 to the month) or the date of fetal movement (add 5 to the month).
Fundal height: Checking the fundal height can help assess fetal development. During normal pregnancy, the growth of the fundal height follows a certain pattern. At 16 weeks of gestation, the fundal height is approximately at the midpoint between the navel and the pubic symphysis. At 24 weeks, it is slightly above the navel, and at 36 weeks, it is near the xiphoid process. This method is simple and can help determine the maturity and size of the fetus.
Listening to fetal heart rate: Listening to the fetal heart rate is a common and effective method to determine if the fetus is experiencing intrauterine asphyxia. Pay attention to whether the fetal heart rate is irregularly fast or slow. The normal fetal heart rate is 120–160 beats per minute. If the fetal heart rate exceeds 160 beats per minute or remains consistently below 100 beats per minute, it indicates intrauterine hypoxia and requires prompt treatment.
Observing fetal movement: Normal fetal movement should not be less than 3 times per hour. Alternatively, the total number of fetal movements within 12 hours can be measured. The pregnant woman can count fetal movements for 1 hour in the morning, noon, and evening, sum the counts, and multiply the total by 4 to equal the 12-hour fetal movement count. If the fetal movement count within 12 hours is more than 30, it is normal, indicating that the fetus has good reserves. If it drops below 20, it suggests intrauterine hypoxia. In the 12–48 hours before fetal death due to hypoxia, fetal movement often decreases and disappears first.