When is the fundal height at the level of the umbilicus during pregnancy?

The fundal height typically reaches the level of the umbilicus around 20 weeks of gestation. This is a key milestone in prenatal care, as it corresponds with the period when the uterus has grown significantly to accommodate the developing fetus. Between 18 to 22 weeks, most practitioners will note that the fundus is at the level of the umbilicus, which serves as an important landmark in monitoring fetal growth and the progression of the pregnancy.

At 16 weeks, the uterus is still relatively low in the pelvis and typically would not be at the umbilicus. By 24 weeks, the fundal height would generally be measured above the umbilicus, and by 28 weeks, it would be even higher, as the uterus continues to grow rapidly. This time frame illustrates how the pregnancy progresses and the changes in the mother’s anatomy as the fetus develops, with 20 weeks being right at the midpoint of this specific anatomical change.