A nurse palpates the fundal height of a G2 P1 patient. What gestational age does this suggest?

The correct answer indicates that at approximately 20 weeks of gestation, the fundal height typically corresponds to the level of the umbilicus. This measurement is an important assessment tool during pregnancy, as it reflects fetal growth and the size of the uterus. At 20 weeks, the fundus is generally at the same height as the navel, which makes it a landmark point in prenatal care.

As gestation continues, the fundal height will increase, corresponding closely with gestational age in weeks until around 36 weeks. Beyond this point, the growth may not be as linear due to the limited space in the uterus, but at 20 weeks, the height is a reliable indicator of still being in the mid-second trimester, where standard growth patterns are established. Therefore, the clinician palpating the fundal height and finding it at the level of the umbilicus strongly suggests that the gestational age is indeed around 20 weeks.