The gravidogramGravidogram Gravidogramm Gravidogram is derived from the term gravida, which is the medical term for pregnancy. A gravidogram records all the important measurements taken during the prenatal check-ups conducted over the course the pregnancy. They give health professionals an overview of the development of the pregnancy. chart is a structured overview of the course of your pregnancy. Your gynaecologist or midwife will note down important results from all of your check-ups on this double page. This helps them keep a good overview. The first two columns of the gravidogram chart record the dates of your check-ups as well as the week of gestation. This number can be updated again in the third column. A correction may be necessary, for example, after an ultrasound examination. Healthcare providers can then better assess how far the pregnancy has really progressed.
Distance between the uterus and the pubic bone
The fourth column contains information on the fundal height. The word fundusFundus In medicine, the term fundus refers to the base or edge of an organ. The height of the fundus, also known as fundal height, is the distance between the upper edge of the uterus to the pubic bone, ribs and navel. These values are noted down in the maternity record (Mutterpass). They can give medical professionals an indication of uterine dilation, the growth of the fetus and uterine involution, which is when the uterus returns to its former size. refers to the upper part of the uterus. The fundal position refers to the distance between the edge of the uterus and the pubic bone, the navel and the costal margin (the lower border of the front of the rib cage). From around the 16th week of pregnancy, the edge of the uterus can be felt about a hand's breadth below the navel. The fundal position continues to increase throughout the pregnancy. From around the 24th week of pregnancy, your midwife or doctor can even feel it from the outside at your navel. In the third trimester from about the 36th week, you can even feel it under your ribs. The closer your due date gets, the lower the edge of the uterus sinks again.
How is the baby sitting in the womb?
Determining the fetal positionFetal position Kindslage The fetal position is the position of the foetus in the womb. Babies often move around in the womb until the 36th week of pregnancy. The ideal position for birth is when the head is pointed downwards facing the mother's spine. Giving birth in a different position is associated with risks. is important so that the birth is as risk-free as possible. The doctor or midwife determines the fetal position at your check-ups. They use abbreviations to note the result in the fifth column of the gravidogram chart. SLCranial position Schädellage The cranial position is when the baby is positioned head-down in the womb. 95 percent of babies are born in this position. The ideal position for childbirth is when the baby is in the cranial position and is also facing the mother's spine. stands for the German for cephalic presentation. This means that the child's head is down. In Germany, BELBreech presentation Beckenendlage The term ‘breech presentation’ refers to a foetal position that is unfavorable for childbirth. In this position, the baby's head is at the top of the uterus and the feet or buttocks are at the bottom. Until the 36th week of pregnancy, it is not uncommon for the baby to be in this position, but giving birth in this position is associated with risks. denotes that the baby is breech, meaning it is positioned with its bottom downwards. QLShoulder presentation Querlage Shoulder presentation, i.e. when the baby lies across the mother's spine while in the womb, is an unfavourable position for birth. The German abbreviation ‘QL’ is used In the maternity record (Mutterpass) to indicate that the baby is lying in a shoulder presentation in the womb. The ideal position of the baby for birth is head down, facing the mother's spine. The baby still changes its position frequently up until the 36th week of pregnancy. However, giving birth in a different position is associated with risks. is the abbreviation for shoulder presentation in German. Then the baby's head and bottom are both on the side so it is lying perpendicular to the mother.
Fetal heartbeat and movements
The sixth column of the gravidogram chart is where health care providers can note whether they were able to detect a fetal heartbeat. They then write a ‘+’ and note what tools they used to make the measurement. ‘US’ stands for ‘ultrasound measurement’. ‘CTGCardiotocography Kardiotokografie Cardiotocography is a technique used to monitor the foetal heartbeat and uterine contractions during pregnancy and labour. The device that is used is called a cardiotocograph. This device is also used to record the foetal heartbeat during the prenatal check-ups carried out in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. A common abbreviation is CTG. During childbirth, it is used to check the length, strength and frequency of contractions.’ is the abbreviation for ‘cardiotocography’. If you can feel the baby move, the examiner will also document this with a ‘+’. Most pregnant people feel the baby move for the first time between the 17th and 20th weeks of pregnancy.
Fluid retention and varicose veins
The seventh and eighth columns of the gravidogram chart are about your health. If you are experiencing fluid retention, the person doing your exam will make a note of it. The technical term for fluid retention in your body’s tissues is edema. Varicose veins are referred to as VarikosisVaricoses Varikosis Varicoses is the medical term for varicose veins. In medicine, varicose veins are visibly dilated blood vessels under the skin. These occur most often in the legs. In some cases, there could be an underlying congestion of the blood vessels caused by obesity, pregnancy or lack of exercise. Varicose veins can lead to water retention, skin changes and ulcers and can be treated with compression therapy or surgery.. Varicose veins and edema are common during pregnancy and are usually not dangerous. Still, you should bring any symptoms to the attention of your medical care providers. This is the only way to avoid unnecessary risks.
Weight
Your doctor or midwife also regularly uses the ninth column to note your current weight. This is important because extreme weight gain can be harmful to you and the fetus. The cause of insufficient weight gain must also be clarified.
Blood pressure and haemoglobin
Your blood pressure is measured regularly and entered in the tenth column of the gravidogram chart. It normally drops a little below the usual value during pregnancy. Blood pressure that is too low starts at values below 100/70, while an increased high blood pressure starts at 140/90. The eleventh column is also about blood. There you will find the abbreviation HbHaemoglobin Hämoglobin In biology, haemoglobin is the blood pigment of the red blood cells. Haemoglobin binds to and transports oxygen and carbon within the body. When the haemoglobin value is too low or too high in the blood, it can be a sign of various diseases.. It stands for haemoglobin. This is the red blood pigment that carries oxygen. If your red blood cell count is too low, your doctor or midwife will recommend taking iron supplements. An adequate oxygen supply is important when you’re pregnant.
Urinalysis
Results from regular urine tests are documented under the heading SedimenteSediment The term ‘sediment’ in the maternity record (Mutterpass) stands for the values of the urine examination. The levels of protein, sugar, nitrite and blood in the urine are measured and recorded in urine tests. Based on these readings, doctors can identify various possible conditions such as gestational diabetes, a bacterial infection, kidney disease or a urinary tract infection. in column twelve. This is important because unusual values can indicate diseases or other problems. White blood cells in the urine, for example, indicate inflammation or infection. If there is nitrite in your urine, you may be suffering from a urinary tract infection, and if your blood sugar is elevated, gestational diabetesGestational diabetes Gestationsdiabetes Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that only occurs during pregnancy. Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which blood glucose levels are permanently elevated, which can affect organ function. Gestational diabetes, which is found in four out of ten pregnancies, is usually temporary. could be to blame.
Further check-ups, screenings and measurements
Your doctor or midwife will carry out a series of vaginal examinations, especially during the first and second trimesters. They will examine your vagina and abdomen. In the last trimester of pregnancy, vaginal exams are no longer done at every check-up. They will check whether your cervix is closed, whether your cervix is shortened and whether you may have a vaginal infection. These checks are important because irregularities may indicate that a miscarriage is possible. The last two columns of the gravidogram chart are used to enter what types of pregnancy risks should be kept in mind. It is also noted which additional tests and therapies were carried out.