Is it easier to show a pregnancy when the placenta is located at the fundus of the uterus?

Jun 19, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Lu
Introduction
Anatomically, the fundus of the uterus refers to the uppermost portion of the uterine body, located near the top of the pelvic cavity. When the placenta attaches to the fundus, it mainly extends upward within the uterine body. The visibility of the pregnancy bump is more closely related to factors such as the placenta's attachment site on the anterior or posterior uterine wall, fetal size, and maternal abdominal fat thickness. Regular prenatal checkups should be conducted to monitor fetal development.

In general, when the placenta is attached to the fundus of the uterus, the abdomen may not show prominently, which is related to the anatomical position of the uterus and the physiological characteristics of the placental attachment area. The specific analysis is as follows:

Anatomically, the fundus is the uppermost part of the uterine body, located near the top of the pelvic cavity. When the placenta is attached to the fundus, it mainly extends upward within the uterine cavity. The visibility of the abdominal bulge is more closely associated with factors such as placental position on the anterior or posterior wall of the uterus, fetal size, and thickness of the abdominal fat in the pregnant woman. If the placenta is attached to the anterior wall of the uterus, fetal growth may exert direct pressure forward on the abdominal wall, resulting in earlier visibility of the pregnancy. In contrast, the fundal position is relatively higher and farther away from the superficial layer of the abdominal wall. Placental growth at the fundus tends to expand more into the upper space of the uterus, exerting less direct pressure on the front of the abdominal wall, so the visual appearance of abdominal protrusion may be relatively delayed.

In addition, whether the abdomen shows prominently also depends on the woman's body type. In tall women or those with tight abdominal muscles, the abdominal bulge might not be obvious even if the placenta is located at the fundus. Conversely, women with shorter stature or relaxed abdominal walls may show more obvious abdominal protrusion, although this is not directly related to placental position. It is important to note that placental positions, such as fundal, anterior, or posterior wall attachment, are all normal physiological conditions. As long as the placenta does not cover the internal cervical os, it generally does not affect the progress of pregnancy.

Regular prenatal checkups should be conducted to monitor fetal development. Maintaining a balanced diet is also important to support healthy fetal growth.

Related Articles

View All