Methods for Determining Estimated Fetal Mass

The question of what should be the weight of the fetus interests every woman. According to statistics, 40% of mothers expecting a baby are considering methods for determining the estimated fetal mass in order to satisfy their personal interest. The remaining 60% want to know the exact value in order to formulate a plan to facilitate the birth process.

determination of the estimated mass of the fetus




It is worth noting that not so long ago, calculations and various formulas for determining the estimated mass of the fetus entered into obstetric practice.

The main methods for determining the mass of the fetus

To determine the weight of the child should know several important parameters. It is necessary to determine the body weight of the woman, and then conduct an ultrasound. The information obtained is used to calculate the approximate weight of the fetus.

There are a large number of techniques for determining the estimated weight of the fetus, thanks to which you can easily learn the weight of the child. These are the formulas:

  1. Lankowitz.
  2. Publicnenko.
  3. Yakubova.
  4. Jordania.

To carry out the calculations you need to know:

  • body weight of a woman;
  • height (in cm);
  • diameter of the abdomen;
  • VDM (uterine fundus height).

Of course, the list is not limited to this, but at present, medical equipment is so advanced that it calculates and takes into account even minor details in the calculations.





determination of the estimated fetal mass algorithm




Determination of fetal mass - algorithm according to the Lankowitz formula

The Lankowitz formula is not in vain in the first place in the methods for determining the estimated mass of the fetus, since it helps to give the result closest to the present value. A small error, of course, is always and everywhere.

How to calculate the mass of the fetus according to the Lankowitz formula?

  1. Add VDM (uterine fundus height) and coolant (abdominal circumference).
  2. Add the resulting value with the growth of the expectant mother (in cm) and her body weight (in kg).
  3. Now the final digital indicator is multiplied by ten.

Thus, the estimated mass of the fetus is determined - Lankowitz manipulation.

The calculation algorithm according to the formula

How to calculate the estimated weight of the fetus using this formula?

  1. The weight of the future mother should be divided by 200.
  2. Multiply the result by 10. This is approximately 0.7% of the total weight of the pregnant woman.

Currently, the formula is practically not used.

Determination of the estimated mass of the fetus by the formula of Yakubova

Algorithm:

  • We find the sum of the VDM and the coolant.
  • The result of the first action is divided into four.
  • We find the product of the resulting number and 100.

This method also cannot be attributed to frequently used in clinical practice.





Determination of Estimated Fetal Mass by Jordan

The calculation is performed in just one action - to find the product of the coolant and VDM (in centimeters). The result will be the expected weight of the baby (in grams).

Based on the above, we can conclude: determining the estimated fetal mass is not such a difficult manipulation (provided that all the values ​​used are known).

Online calculators are popular on the Internet, with the help of which you can easily calculate the approximate weight of a newborn. To use these techniques, you should know how to correctly calculate all of these parameters.

formulas for determining the estimated mass of the fetus




How to find coolant?

To do this, you need a measuring tape (in cm). The meaning is as follows: at the navel level we wrap the belly around. We measure at the received mark. We use for calculations.

How to find VDM?

The height of the bottom of the uterus can be easily determined using the same measuring tape. The beginning of the tape should be attached to the upper protruding part of the abdomen (to the bend in the stomach or near the navel), and the end of the tape to the upper part of the pubis. The result (in centimeters) will be the height of the uterine fundus. After 16 weeks, VDM exactly matches the gestational age.



Some nuances that can slightly make a mistake in determining the mass of the fetus:

  • multiple pregnancy;
  • polyhydramnios;
  • excess weight in the future mother.

Is there a rate of fetal weight, what should it be? The norm has its own specific exact boundaries: 2.5-4 kg at the term of full-term pregnancy (after 37 weeks). For other terms, their own standards have been developed.

With a decrease in weight, intrauterine deficiency of the fetal mass is indicated. The placenta does not function correctly, and the baby does not receive fully nutrients and oxygen. Hypoxia develops - oxygen starvation of the fetus, weight loss is noted. Perhaps the birth of a child weighing up to 2.5 kg.

methods for determining the estimated weight of the fetus




In the case of the birth of a newborn weighing more than 4 kg, he is considered large. After birth, you need to be regularly examined and undergo medical examinations. Such children have a rather high risk of developing diabetes and obesity. It is for these reasons that the expectant mother is obliged to monitor not only the general state of her health, but also the weight, volume of the abdomen, etc. If something seemed strange, it is best to consult a doctor right away.

Fetal Weight and Birth

How can one interpret the weight of a fetus to find the most suitable birth option?

  • If the baby's weight is 4 kg or more, then the obstetrician-gynecologist carries out the planned operation, during which the fetus is removed from the uterus (an incision is made on it). The operation is called cesarean section. But, in medical practice, there are also known cases when large babies were born naturally, and everything went well. The issue is decided individually based on the size of the pelvis of the mother, the condition of the fetus and other related factors.
  • Low body weight is said to be 2.5 kg or less. It is usually about premature babies, that is, those born before the due date. This affects the development of such babies. Due to the high risk of complications in the process of natural birth, doctors often offer a cesarean section. You can give birth in a natural way, but it is worth talking with an obstetrician-gynecologist, since all the nuances and errors in all measured data should be taken into account.

Now we can make a general conclusion. The mass of the fetus matters when choosing the method of childbirth. There are a large number of different calculations with which you can determine the fetal weight that is close to the true value, but nevertheless, the final result can be obtained only after a comprehensive debriefing and analysis of all the nuances.

Jordanian fetal mass determination technique




Calculation of fetal weight by ultrasound

Properly determining the body weight of the child is very important not only for the expectant mother, but also for the gynecologist. Doctors use special tables and standards for this. In order to calculate the weight of the fetus by ultrasound, you can use the calculator online. It is only necessary to substitute the characteristics, and the program will independently calculate the weight of the crumbs.

At the first sound examination of the fetus (at 12-14 weeks of gestation) it is very difficult to determine its weight. At this time, an ultrasound scan is performed to assess the condition of the fetus and identify severe malformations. The problem is that this information is scarce in order to calculate the weight of the fetus by ultrasound. Using this method in the first trimester of pregnancy, you can only determine the embryological gestational age and size of the baby. The doctor, comparing it with the obstetric period, is able to establish whether there is a lag in the weight of the child. The obstetric period of pregnancy is the 1st day of the last menstruation. Of course, in this case it is impossible to exclude the inaccuracy of weight calculations.

technique for determining the estimated mass of the fetus




In order to use the calculator online, you should have the most extensive ultrasound data than at 12 weeks. To do this, you need to know the following parameters:

  • embryological period of pregnancy in weeks;
  • characteristics of the frontooccipital region of the FOD;
  • HC head diameter;
  • biparietal diameter of BPD;
  • abdominal circumference AC;
  • femoral length FL.

The second screening ultrasound is carried out at the 20th week of pregnancy. This study provides insight into the size of the bones of the lower leg of the fetus, humerus and forearm. Such information will help establish the weight of the fetus. Here is the algorithm for determining the estimated fetal mass by ultrasound. In clinical practice, doctors focus on tables designed for each term. Evaluation of fetal weight is carried out starting from II screening at 18-21 weeks, then during III screening (32-34 weeks) and then according to indications until the birth.

determination of estimated fetal mass




In conclusion, it should be noted that the mass of children plays a significant role in establishing an obstetric birth management strategy. It is possible to determine the approximate mass of the fetus by different methods, but the final decision on the mass of the fetus is formed on the basis of a single consideration of the results obtained, since they depend on many conditions. It is possible to accurately assess body weight after birth, by weighing the newborn baby. In a similar way, you can also establish the accuracy of your own calculations.




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