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McDonald's rule
System: Pregnancy & Women's Health Signs · All pregnancy & women's health signs
What it is — and how it is elicited
After mid-pregnancy, the height of the uterus measured in centimetres from the pubic bone (fundal height) roughly matches the number of weeks of pregnancy.
What a positive finding suggests
A simple bedside guide to fetal growth; a large discrepancy is associated with growth problems, twins or abnormal fluid volumes.
◈ Behind the name
Named after the McDonald measurement tradition in obstetrics; the tape-measure method was popularised in the early 20th century.
Related signs — Pregnancy & Women's Health Signs
Browse the M section of the A–Z list or return to the Clinical Signs hub.
Please note: This page is an educational reference about clinical examination signs. A clinical sign supports — and never replaces — a full clinical evaluation, examination and appropriate testing. A sign being present does not by itself prove a diagnosis, and an absent sign does not rule one out. If you have symptoms that worry you, see a health professional.