How many weeks gestation would be expected at the point when the fundus is at the umbilicus?

The correct answer is 20 weeks because, during a typical pregnancy, the uterus grows and the fundus (the top of the uterus) ascends in a predictable manner. The fundus reaches the level of the umbilicus, which is located at approximately the same level as the belly button, around the 20-week mark of gestation.

This correlation between fundal height and weeks of pregnancy is used in clinical practice to assess fetal growth and development. At around 20 weeks, the fundus is positioned at the umbilicus, reflecting the midpoint of a full-term pregnancy, which lasts approximately 40 weeks. As the pregnancy progresses beyond 20 weeks, the fundus will continue to rise above the level of the umbilicus, aligning with the expected gestational age.

Understanding this relationship helps in estimating gestational age and monitoring the progress of the pregnancy.