At about of gestation, the height of the uterus is at the level of umbilicus.

AIIMS Patna NO - 2020

Obstetrics and Midwifery Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: AIIMS Patna NO - 2020

Explanation

At 20 to 22 weeks of gestation, the growing uterus expands out of the pelvis, and its uppermost part, the fundus, reaches the level of the mother's umbilicus (navel).
This is a significant and consistent anatomical landmark used by healthcare professionals to assess fetal growth and confirm gestational age during prenatal examinations.
After 20-24 weeks, the fundal height measured in centimeters from the symphysis pubis generally corresponds to the number of weeks of gestation (McDonald's Rule), providing a simple screening tool for fetal growth.
The provided image visually confirms this milestone, showing the fundus located directly at the umbilicus at the 20-week mark.

Option A: At 6-8 weeks of gestation, the uterus is still a small pelvic organ and has not enlarged enough to be palpable above the pubic bone, let alone reach the umbilicus.
Option B: At 3-5 weeks, the pregnancy is in its very early stages. The uterus has barely begun to enlarge and is not detectable by abdominal palpation.
Option D: At 10-12 weeks, the fundus of the uterus is typically just palpable above the symphysis pubis (the pubic bone). It is still in the lower abdomen and far from the umbilicus.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain The concept tested is the correlation between gestational age and the anatomical landmark of uterine fundal height, specifically when it reaches the umbilicus as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses and midwives routinely measure fundal height during antenatal visits. It is a fundamental part of assessing fetal well-being.
A fundal height that is significantly smaller than expected for gestational age may indicate intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid), or an error in dating the pregnancy.
A fundal height that is larger than expected can suggest a multiple gestation (twins, etc.), polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid), a large-for-gestational-age (LGA) fetus, or uterine fibroids.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key elements of the question: the specific gestational event (height of uterus) and the anatomical landmark (level of umbilicus).
Recall the standard progression of fundal height during pregnancy. This is a common topic in maternity nursing.
Visualize the growth of the uterus from the pelvis upwards. Remember that the umbilicus is roughly the midpoint of the abdomen.
Associate the midpoint of a typical 40-week pregnancy (which is 20 weeks) with the fundus reaching this midpoint (the umbilicus).
Evaluate the options. Eliminate the very early gestational ages (3-5 and 6-8 weeks) as the uterus is still a pelvic organ.
Differentiate between 10-12 weeks (just above the pubic bone) and 20-22 weeks (at the umbilicus) to select the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: The concept tested is the correlation between gestational age and the anatomical landmark of uterine fundal height, specifically when it reaches the umbilicus.
Stem keywords: gestation, height of the uterus, level of umbilicus
Lead-in keywords: At about

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