At 12 weeks of gestation, where should the uterine fundus be palpable?

At 12 weeks of gestation, the uterus has typically enlarged enough that the fundus can generally be palpated about midway between the symphysis pubis and the umbilicus. This location corresponds to the growth pattern of the uterus during early pregnancy.

As pregnancy progresses, the fundus rises, initially growing slowly but then more rapidly, especially as it approaches the second trimester. By around 12 weeks, the uterus is transitioning from a pelvic organ that is not palpable above the pubic symphysis to an abdominal organ that can be felt in that midway position.

During this period of gestation, the fundus is not yet at the level of the umbilicus or above it, as that typically occurs later—around 20 weeks of gestation when the fundus reaches the umbilical level. Therefore, understanding the growth trajectory of the uterus is crucial in determining the correct answer regarding the palpation location of the uterine fundus at 12 weeks.