Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To predict the fetal birthweight by using the multiplication of intrapartum symphysio–fundal height and abdominal girth at the umbilical level.
METHOD: A prospective descriptive study of 1,000 pregnant women who attended antenatal care and delivered at Phayao Hospital from November, 2000 to August, 2005. Tape measurement was carried out at the levels mentioned above and then multiplication was done to obtain the estimated fetal weight in grams, compared to the actual fetal weight after delivered within half an hour. Software data analysis was done for frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and regression analysis to determine the relationship between these factors with significant level at 0.05.
RESULTS: The mean value of the subjects was expressed as followed: the maternal age, body weight, height and gestational age were 26.48±6.073 years, 63.80±8.710 kg, 154.75±5.426 cm, 38.6±1.319 weeks respectively. Moreover, the average height of symphysio–fundal and abdominal girth were 33.74±2.673 cm and 91.26+6.754 cm respectively. The mean actual fetal weight at birth was 3,125.18+396.789 grams. By using the regression analysis, the predicting component had graphic linear statistically significant relationship with the actual one (p < 0.001). The estimated fetal weight was 1,884.099+0.383 (HFxAC), R²=0.366. The mean estimated fetal weight was 3,132±511.580 grams.
CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate the usefulness of tape measurement in estimating fetal weight in utero as compared to the actual one.