For most people around, pregnancy becomes apparent only from the moment when the mother’s tummy is noticeably rounded. However, from the first week after conception in the female body, changes that are invisible to the eye begin to occur. During the examination, the gynecologist can determine the onset of pregnancy by the increased size and location of the uterus. For weeks of pregnancy, an accurate response is provided only by ultrasound. Now it is assigned to every woman who carries a baby.
Consider the location of the uterus by week of pregnancy. The photos presented in the article will help explain this clearly. Thanks to many years of experience, it was possible to determine the norms and criteria for assessing the size of the main genital organ (uterus) from conception to childbirth. Consider these indicators.
Sizes at different times
It is rather difficult to determine the location of the uterus by the week of pregnancy in the first trimester. Moreover, this is not worth doing, so as not to provoke a tone of the genital organ, which can lead to a miscarriage. As a result of palpation, the doctor can determine that the body of the uterus is enlarged. If we talk about the first month of pregnancy, then the reproductive organ in size resembles a chicken egg, and after a month in terms of parameters it becomes like a goose. The size of the fetal egg for a period of 10 weeks is 22 mm, and the volume of amniotic fluid is 30 ml.
Every day the growth of the genital organ becomes more and more obvious. The doctor may need a centimeter tape to determine the location of the uterus by weeks of pregnancy. The photo below shows how the indicators change. The tape will allow during the next examination to obtain information on whether the growth of the fetus corresponds to the obstetric period. Such a measurement also makes it possible to establish the presence of low water or polyhydramnios.
Uterus shape
The reproductive organ changes depending on how long the pregnancy is. The first two months its shape resembles a pear. The embryo has enough space inside the fetal egg, since its size is still extremely small to affect the appearance of the uterus. But by the end of the third month it becomes more spherical. Its shape becomes even more ovoid as the placenta develops. She remains so until the birth itself.
Bottom height
So that the doctor can determine the location of the uterus by weeks of pregnancy, he is guided by a conventional centimeter tape. The determination of the standing height of the uterine fundus (VDM) is necessary in order to be able to establish without an ultrasound examination whether the pregnancy corresponds to its actual term. According to obstetric practice, this indicator helps to determine how many centimeters the fundus of the uterus rises at each gestation period. Measurement begins in the second trimester, when the genital organ begins to protrude noticeably. For example, if we take the location of the uterus at the 15th week of pregnancy, then the doctor on a centimeter tape should fix the VDM of 15 centimeters.
How the uterus grows in the first trimester
The first months of pregnancy in many women pass unnoticed. Therefore, about what changes occur in the uterus, they do not even guess. When planning pregnancy, a woman can track how the location of the genital organ changes using ultrasound.
It is advisable to exclude frequent visits to an ultrasound specialist, as this is associated with a certain discomfort for the expectant mother. However, in some cases, this measure is compelled. In particular, already at the 6th week of pregnancy, its further development can be determined by the location in the uterus of the embryo. If it is attached to the bottom wall, then there is a risk of complications or a threat to bearing. The expectant mother should be careful and avoid physical exertion. By the end of the third month (first trimester), the formation of the placenta begins.
Second trimester
At 16 weeks of gestation, the location of the uterus can be roughly determined between the navel and the pubic bone. After 4 weeks, the VDM is two fingers below the navel, and the noticeably rounded tummy is already difficult to hide from others. The size of the fetus during this period is about 26 cm, and the weight is 270-350 g. At this period, the child is quite comfortable inside, so the mother can feel his physical activity during the day.
Therefore, the location of the baby can be head, pelvic or transverse. The latter affects the location of the uterus, but is not a reason for experiencing. In order for the baby to again take its usual position in the uterus, at 18 weeks of gestation, you can recommend walking in the fresh air, as well as performing special exercises. The baby can return to the correct position on his own if his mother helps him in this. Doctors recommend getting on all fours. Thus, the child is easier to roll over.
At the 20th week of pregnancy, the location of the uterus inside the abdominal cavity becomes even more dominant. Mom begins to more clearly feel the movements.
In the second and subsequent pregnancies, doctors and many mothers note the first tremors at an earlier date. At 24 weeks, the bottom of the uterus reaches the navel, another month later it rises two fingers above it. At this time, the baby is intensively gaining in height and weight, taking up more and more space inside the mother's womb. Consequently, there are significant changes in the size of the uterus itself. She is stretched more and more, and while the baby is moving, the mother can even feel him hurt the internal organs.
Amniotic fluid volume and uterine size
At 12 weeks of pregnancy, the doctor can determine the location of the uterus using palpation, it is palpated through the abdominal wall. Its size at this time is comparable to the head of a newborn baby, and VDM is located in the upper edge of the pubic bone. Closer to 16 weeks of pregnancy, the formation of the placenta ends, which protects the baby and is a filter to determine its health status.
In the first trimester, the amount of amniotic fluid is very small. However, by the end of the second trimester, this figure is approximately 600 ml. By the third trimester, the volume of water is about 1.5 liters. Knowing the norms, we can talk about a lack or excess of amniotic fluid.
If a woman notes that her stomach is smaller or larger than it should be, then the case may be in high water or low water. However, you should not independently establish a diagnosis. During the examination, the doctor can only suggest one or another pathology. The exact result can be obtained during ultrasound examination.
Third trimester
By 32 weeks, the growth of the fetus is approximately 42 cm. Therefore, the mother’s tummy at this period is already quite impressive. Its circumference is about 80-85 cm, the navel is smoothed. The location of the fetus at this period in most cases, head down, but even with a pelvic position there is a chance that the baby will roll over on its own.
This period has time for the third screening, which includes another ultrasound scan. It allows the doctor to determine the week of pregnancy by the location of the uterus, to find out changes in the parameters of the child, to clarify whether his weight and height correspond to the term. The standing height of the uterine fundus should be within 31-33 cm, and at 34-35 weeks - 32-33 cm.
Parameters in the last month of pregnancy
After 36 weeks, delivery can begin at any time. In some cases, women note that the stomach goes down. This is due to the fact that the baby changes its position, moves less (it is already large, so it is crowded in the womb) and is preparing for the birth. By the end of the eighth month of pregnancy at 38-39 weeks, the VDM standards are 35-38 cm.
If the position of the baby in the uterus is incorrect at 41 weeks of pregnancy, then there is practically no chance that he will turn head down. Therefore, doctors usually recommend a cesarean section.
The standing height of the uterine fundus at this period becomes slightly less - approximately 34-35 cm. This suggests that the baby is preparing to go free, and labor can begin at any time.
Size of the uterus with multiple pregnancy
Doctors recommend not expecting future mothers who monitor changes in their bodies if the location of the uterus at 10 weeks of gestation is slightly larger than others. Perhaps they expect twins or triplets. The size of the uterus and abdomen with multiple pregnancy is much larger. Each baby is approximately 10 cm tall. This fact can be confirmed or refuted during a routine screening. This is especially true for those who have not done an ultrasound before the end of the first trimester.
Ultrasound to determine the location of the fetus during multiple pregnancy
Since the load on the body grows with double strength, it is worthwhile to be prepared for the fact that pulling pains in the lumbar region will often be felt. Sprain, which occurs in connection with the growth and change in the position of the uterus, also cannot pass without a trace. By the 18th week of pregnancy, doctors and experienced mothers recommend wearing a bandage. This will reduce the likelihood of improper placement of the babies inside the womb and distribute the load, which is caused by a shift in the center of gravity. By week 20, the weight of each baby reaches 400 g, and after two weeks (if the pregnant woman wears twins), the total weight is more than 1 kg.
It is not easy for women who have a multiple pregnancy to determine the exact period without special research, since their abdomen is slightly larger than those who carry one baby. Ultrasound allows you to determine the correct location of the uterus by weeks of pregnancy, which is very important for the doctor, because it makes it possible to evaluate how the babies feel inside the mother’s womb. The same diagnostic method allows you to identify the presence of abnormalities or developmental delays, which is common when carrying twins.
Mid pregnancy
In the second trimester, you can listen to the baby's heartbeat. This will help establish their location without the use of ultrasound. The doctor uses a conventional phonendoscope (a tube made of wood or metal) or a familiar stethoscope. Such a procedure for one-pregnancy is resorted to from 20 weeks.
However, for mothers carrying two or more babies, this period can be moved a few weeks earlier. Judging by the reviews of experienced mothers, the tummy begins to grow starting from the 12th week, and the first movements are felt at the 17th week of pregnancy. The location of the uterus at this stage is somewhat different than with a singleton pregnancy, because the presence of several babies requires more space inside the genital organ, so it has to stretch faster.
At the 26th week of pregnancy, an enlarged uterus can cause significant discomfort. Long walks quickly tire of the expectant mother. The weight of her children is about one and a half kilograms.
Difficulties in determining the location of the fetus
By the end of the second trimester, the doctor can feel through the stomach the location of both babies inside the womb. However, difficulties arise here too. For example, if the second baby is hiding behind the first (located closer to the spine), listening to his heartbeat and determining the location is very difficult.
In this case, there is only one way - ultrasound, which accurately shows their location in the uterus during the week of pregnancy.
Multiple pregnancy in the last trimester
In the third trimester, special attention is paid to what position the kids have taken. This affects the further choice of delivery method. The standing height of the uterine fundus at 8 and 9 months may not differ much from each other. There is very little room for movement in the genital organ. It often happens that one fetus is in the correct position (head down), and the other is incorrect. When listening to a heartbeat, the doctor can easily determine the location of the children. However, for confidence, an ultrasound is prescribed.
In medical practice, multiple pregnancies end at 39-40 weeks. The size of the abdomen becomes quite impressive, it is difficult for a woman to move around. As a rule, after 36 weeks a decision is made to have a cesarean section.