Why is the uterine fundus too high at 12 weeks of pregnancy?

Under normal circumstances, an abnormally high uterine fundus at 12 weeks of pregnancy may be caused by errors in calculating the gestational age, multiple pregnancies, intrauterine fluid accumulation, adenomyosis, uterine fibroids, and other factors. Symptomatic management such as general treatment or medication may be needed. If physical discomfort occurs, prompt medical attention should be sought. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Error in Calculating Gestational Age

If a woman has irregular menstrual cycles, it may lead to inaccuracies in estimating the gestational age. When the actual gestational age is longer than estimated, the height of the uterine fundus may appear higher than expected. No special treatment is required in this case, but prenatal management expectations should be adjusted to align with the actual gestational age.

2. Multiple Pregnancy

In multiple pregnancies, the uterus expands earlier to accommodate the growth of multiple fetuses, which may cause the uterine fundus to appear higher even in early pregnancy. This may be accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal distension and intensified early pregnancy reactions. Regular prenatal checkups are recommended to monitor fetal development, and ultrasound examinations may be necessary to confirm the number of fetuses.

3. Intrauterine Fluid Accumulation

Intrauterine fluid accumulation refers to excessive fluid in the uterine cavity, which may be caused by endometritis, infection, or other factors. This can lead to an elevated position of the uterine fundus and may be accompanied by symptoms such as lower abdominal pain and increased vaginal discharge. It is recommended to follow medical advice and use medications such as dydrogesterone tablets, progesterone capsules, and nifedipine tablets for treatment.

4. Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis is a condition in which endometrial tissue is displaced into the muscular layer of the uterus. In adenomyosis, the endometrial tissue abnormally proliferates and invades the uterine muscle layer, causing thickening of the muscle layer, an enlarged uterus, and thus an elevated position of the uterine fundus. Symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles and dysmenorrhea may accompany this condition. It is recommended to follow medical advice and use medications such as danazol capsules, ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, and compound norethisterone tablets to alleviate symptoms.

5. Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are common benign tumors of the muscular tissue. The growth of fibroids occupies space within the uterus, forcing the uterus to expand and causing the uterine fundus to rise. This may be accompanied by symptoms such as lower abdominal pain and menstrual irregularities. It is recommended to follow medical guidance and use medications such as Hongjin Xiaojie tablets, mifepristone capsules, and leuprolide acetate microspheres for injection to manage the condition.

Pregnant women are advised to attend regular prenatal checkups at the hospital to timely monitor their health status and fetal development.