Tutorial: Plotting a Fetal Growth Chart
This step-by-step guide shows how to plot serial measurements and print the report. The whole process takes about a minute per visit.
1. Open the Growth Chart and choose the pregnancy type
Open the Growth Chart page and select Singleton or Twin. For twins, record the chorionicity and, for each twin, the maternal side, order and presentation. These are printed on the report and help you label the same twin consistently at every scan. Switching between Singleton and Twin clears the saved measurements, and the tool asks you to confirm first.
Open the Growth Chart page and select Singleton or Twin. For twins, record the chorionicity and, for each twin, the maternal side, order and presentation. These are printed on the report and help you label the same twin consistently at every scan. Switching between Singleton and Twin clears the saved measurements, and the tool asks you to confirm first.
2. Enter the date and gestational age
Enter the Measurement Date (today's date is filled in automatically) and the POG / POA in separate Weeks and Days boxes, for example 28 weeks + 3 days. Use the gestational age from the dating scan, not from the current fetal size. The chart covers 13 to 41 weeks.
Enter the Measurement Date (today's date is filled in automatically) and the POG / POA in separate Weeks and Days boxes, for example 28 weeks + 3 days. Use the gestational age from the dating scan, not from the current fetal size. The chart covers 13 to 41 weeks.
3. Enter the measurements
Enter BPD, HC, AC and FL in millimetres and EFW in grams. Add AFI (singleton) or DVP (each twin) in centimetres, the umbilical artery Doppler status and indices, fetal heart, placenta and any remarks. You only need at least one biometric value to save (for twins, at least one for each twin).
Enter BPD, HC, AC and FL in millimetres and EFW in grams. Add AFI (singleton) or DVP (each twin) in centimetres, the umbilical artery Doppler status and indices, fetal heart, placenta and any remarks. You only need at least one biometric value to save (for twins, at least one for each twin).
4. Save the measurement
Press Save / Add New Measurement. If a value looks very far from the expected range (for example a BPD typed in cm), or the date and POG do not match an earlier visit, the tool asks you to check before saving. The form is then cleared for the next measurement. You can save up to five measurements.
Press Save / Add New Measurement. If a value looks very far from the expected range (for example a BPD typed in cm), or the date and POG do not match an earlier visit, the tool asks you to check before saving. The form is then cleared for the next measurement. You can save up to five measurements.
5. Review the Measurement History
Each saved visit appears as a row, sorted by gestational age. Small labels under each value show its WHO centile band, such as 25–50th. Values below the 5th or above the 95th centile are shown in red. Use Edit to correct a row or Delete to remove it. For twins, the EFW discordance is calculated for every visit.
Each saved visit appears as a row, sorted by gestational age. Small labels under each value show its WHO centile band, such as 25–50th. Values below the 5th or above the 95th centile are shown in red. Use Edit to correct a row or Delete to remove it. For twins, the EFW discordance is calculated for every visit.
6. Review the growth charts
Use the BPD, HC, AC, FL and EFW buttons to switch parameter. Each measurement is plotted as a numbered red cross and joined in order, so you can see whether the fetus is tracking along a centile or crossing centiles. Twins are shown as two charts side by side. See How to read a fetal growth chart.
Use the BPD, HC, AC, FL and EFW buttons to switch parameter. Each measurement is plotted as a numbered red cross and joined in order, so you can see whether the fetus is tracking along a centile or crossing centiles. Twins are shown as two charts side by side. See How to read a fetal growth chart.
7. Print the report
Press Print next to the chart buttons. A print window opens with all five charts, the measurement history, remarks and references on one A4 page (two pages for twins). Write the patient's name, ID and clinic in the blank boxes by hand before filing. If the print window does not open, allow pop-ups for this site.
Press Print next to the chart buttons. A print window opens with all five charts, the measurement history, remarks and references on one A4 page (two pages for twins). Write the patient's name, ID and clinic in the blank boxes by hand before filing. If the print window does not open, allow pop-ups for this site.
8. Finish the session
The measurements stay only in this browser tab. Closing or refreshing the page clears them, and the browser warns you first. Use Clear All Measurements to start a new patient.
The measurements stay only in this browser tab. Closing or refreshing the page clears them, and the browser warns you first. Use Clear All Measurements to start a new patient.