If the fundus is not above the navel, what does this indicate about the baby?

When the fundus is not above the navel, it typically indicates that the baby may not be developing properly or is not at a gestational age that would normally allow for the fundus to rise above the navel. This is particularly true in the context of assessing fetal viability and growth. In a healthy pregnancy, by a certain point in gestation, the fundus should be higher than the navel as the baby grows larger.

If the fundus remains below or at the level of the navel, it may suggest that the baby is not growing adequately or that there may be complications affecting viability. This situation indeed raises concerns about the overall health and viability of the fetus, signaling the need for further assessment by healthcare professionals to understand any underlying issues affecting the pregnancy.

In brief, the observation regarding the fundal height provides valuable insights into fetal development, and in this scenario, it suggests that the baby may not be viable.