Fetal Biometry at Metro South Medical Center
Monitoring your baby’s growth is an important part of prenatal care. At Metro South Medical Center Bacoor, Cavite, our fetal biometry ultrasound services provide detailed measurements that help your healthcare provider assess fetal growth and development throughout pregnancy.
What is Fetal Biometry?
Fetal biometry is an ultrasound-based assessment used to measure the growth and development of a baby during pregnancy. A fetal biometry ultrasound takes measurements of specific parts of the developing baby to help healthcare professionals assess growth, estimate fetal weight, and monitor development throughout pregnancy.
Measurements may include the baby’s head, abdomen, and thigh bone, depending on the examination and stage of pregnancy. These measurements can be compared with established growth references to help your physician evaluate whether fetal growth is progressing as expected.
At Metro South Medical Center Bacoor, Cavite, fetal biometry is available as part of our diagnostic imaging services for expectant mothers who require ultrasound-based fetal monitoring and assessment.
Benefits of Fetal Biometry
Fetal biometry provides important measurements that can help your healthcare provider monitor your baby’s growth during pregnancy.
01. Monitors fetal growth
Fetal biometry provides measurements that can be used to track how your baby is growing throughout pregnancy.
02. Estimates fetal weight
Measurements obtained during the examination can be used to calculate an estimated fetal weight. This provides an approximation of your baby’s weight based on ultrasound measurements.
03. Assesses fetal development
Fetal measurements can help your physician evaluate whether your baby’s development is consistent with the expected stage of pregnancy.
04. Supports fetal monitoring
Fetal biometry may be performed as part of ongoing fetal monitoring, particularly when your healthcare provider wants to follow growth over time.
05. Helps identify growth concerns
Differences in fetal measurements may indicate the need for closer monitoring or additional assessment. Your physician will interpret these findings together with other clinical information.
06. Provides useful pregnancy measurements
Measurements of structures such as the fetal head, abdomen, and femur can provide valuable information about fetal growth and development.
Common Fetal Biometry Measurements
A fetal biometry ultrasound may involve several measurements of the developing baby. The exact measurements performed can vary depending on the stage of pregnancy and your physician’s assessment.
Head circumference (HC)
Fetal biometry HC refers to the measurement of the baby’s head circumference. It can be used to assess fetal growth and development alongside other measurements.
Biparietal diameter (BPD)
This measurement assesses the width of the baby’s head from one side to the other and can contribute to the assessment of gestational age and fetal growth.
Abdominal circumference (AC)
Abdominal circumference measures the baby’s abdomen and can provide information about fetal growth and estimated fetal weight.
Femur length (FL)
Femur length measures the baby’s thigh bone. It is one of the measurements that may be used to assess fetal growth and development.
Estimated fetal weight (EFW)
The measurements obtained during fetal biometry can be used to calculate an estimated fetal weight. EFW is an estimate rather than a direct measurement of the baby’s actual weight.
Fetal Biometry and the Stages of Fetal Development
Fetal growth changes significantly throughout pregnancy. During the different stages of fetal development, ultrasound examinations can provide information about the baby’s size, anatomy, and growth.
For example, a 12 week fetus ultrasound may provide images and measurements appropriate for the first trimester, while later examinations can assess the continued growth and development of the fetus.
At around two months of pregnancy, an ultrasound may show an early developing fetus, while examinations later in pregnancy can provide increasingly detailed measurements. A 16 week fetus is further along in development, and the measurements obtained during ultrasound will differ from those expected earlier in pregnancy.
Because fetal growth varies, measurements should be interpreted according to gestational age rather than compared simply with a general fetal weight chart found online.
Estimated Fetal Weight and Fetal Weight Charts
An estimated fetal weight is calculated using measurements obtained during a fetal ultrasound. Healthcare professionals may compare the estimated weight with established growth references to assess fetal growth.
A fetal weight chart can provide general information about expected fetal size at different stages of pregnancy. However, fetal weight estimates from ultrasound are not exact, and a result that differs from a general reference does not automatically indicate a problem.
Your physician will consider the estimated fetal weight alongside gestational age, previous ultrasound measurements, other fetal biometry measurements, and your overall pregnancy history when assessing fetal growth.
Preparing for Your Fetal Biometry Ultrasound
Preparation may vary depending on your stage of pregnancy and the type of ultrasound examination being performed.
01. Follow your physician's instructions
Preparation requirements can vary depending on the type of examination and your stage of pregnancy.
02. Ask about bladder preparation
Depending on the gestational age and type of examination, you may be instructed to have a full bladder or follow other specific preparation instructions.
03. Wear comfortable clothing
Choose clothing that allows easy access to your abdomen during the examination.
04. Bring your ultrasound request
Bring your physician’s request or referral and any relevant pregnancy records.
05. Bring previous ultrasound results
Previous ultrasound reports may be useful when your physician is monitoring fetal growth over time.
06. Take medications as instructed
Continue your prescribed medications unless your physician has advised you otherwise.
07. Arrive on time
Allow enough time for registration and preparation before your fetal biometry ultrasound.
Coordinated Maternal and Fetal Care at MSMC Bacoor, Cavite
At Metro South Medical Center, fetal biometry is part of our diagnostic services supporting maternal and fetal care. Our healthcare professionals can work with your physician’s recommendations to provide appropriate imaging and monitoring throughout pregnancy.
Located in Bacoor, Cavite, Metro South Medical Center provides accessible diagnostic and medical services for expectant mothers and families in Molino, Bacoor and nearby communities.
Need a fetal biometry ultrasound in Bacoor, Cavite to monitor your baby’s growth and development?