Leopold's maneuver

Is the systematic way of palpating the woman's abdomen preferably performed at

28weeks gestation when the fetal outline can already be palpated

Purpose:
to determine fetal lie: longitudinal,oblique,or transverse
fetal presentation: vertex,cephalic,breech,
and to determine degree of decent

• intruct the woman to empty her biadder First.

• Place woman in dorsal recumbent position, supine with knees flexed this
is to relax abdominal muscles. Place a small pillow under the head for comfort.
• Drape properly to maintain privacy.
• Explain procedure to gain patient's cooperation.
• Warm hands first by rubbing them together before placing them over the
woman's abdomen. Cold hands may stimulate uterine contractions.
• Use the palm for palpation not fingers

First maneuver: Fundal grip

• determine fetal part lying in the fundus.
• Place both hands in the upper quadrants of the patient's abdomen.
• make a triangular shape and gently palpate
• round and smooth= buttocks
• round and angular = fetal extremities
Braxton hicks are practice contractions doesn't progress to labor and dilation

Polyhydramnios (pol-e-hi-DRAM-nee-os) is the excessive accumulation of amniotic

fluid — the fluid that surrounds the baby in the uterus during pregnancy.