What is the purpose of assessing fundal height during pregnancy?

Assessing fundal height during pregnancy is primarily conducted to monitor fetal growth and development. Fundal height is measured as the distance from the pubic bone to the top of the uterus (the fundus), and it provides important information about the size of the uterus in relation to the gestational age of the fetus.

As pregnancies progress, the fundal height typically correlates with gestational age, allowing healthcare providers to estimate whether the fetus is growing at a healthy rate. If the fundal height is smaller or larger than expected for the corresponding gestational age, this may indicate potential issues such as intrauterine growth restriction or macrosomia, prompting further evaluation and monitoring.

The other options address different aspects of maternity care, but they do not reflect the primary purpose of fundal height assessment. For instance, while maternal weight gain patterns are important to monitor, they are assessed through weight measurements rather than fundal height. Similarly, early signs of labor and the risk of preterm labor are evaluated through different clinical assessments and signs beyond measuring fundal height. Thus, the key role of fundal height measurement is in the monitoring of fetal growth and development throughout pregnancy.