Leopold examination is an examination with a palpable method that serves to estimate the position of the baby in the womb. This examination is generally done when undergoing a routine obstetrical examination in the third trimester of pregnancy, or during contractions before delivery.
The position of the baby in the womb is quite varied and can vary according to gestational age. The baby can be in the head position at the bottom of the uterus, breech or transverse.
Leopold examination is done to help the doctor or midwife suggest the right way of delivery. In addition, this examination can help estimate the gestational age, as well as the size and weight of the baby in the womb.
Leopold Examination Stages
Before the examination, Mother will be asked to urinate to empty the bladder. This is done so that the mother is more comfortable during the process of touching the stomach with the Leopold method.
Next, you will be asked to lie on your back with your head slightly raised, then your doctor or midwife will feel your stomach in the following four steps:
Leopold 1
The doctor places both palms on the top of the abdomen to determine the location of the highest part of the uterus. Then the doctor slowly touches this area to estimate the baby's body parts that are there.
Baby's head will feel hard and round. While the baby's bottom, will feel like a large object with a soft texture. In about 95% of pregnancies, the buttocks position is at the highest part of the uterus.
Leopold 2
In the Leopold 2 stage, the doctor's palms will gently touch both sides of your stomach, precisely in the area around the navel. This step is carried out to find out that the baby is facing right or left.
The trick is to distinguish the location of the baby's back and other body parts. The baby's back will feel wide and hard. Meanwhile, other body parts will feel softer, irregular and can move.
Leopold 3
At Leopold's stage 3 examination, the doctor will feel the lower part of your mother's abdomen using the thumb and fingers of only one hand (right hand or left hand).
Similar to Leopold 1, this method aims to ensure that the baby's body is under the uterus. If palpated hard, means head. But if it feels like a moving object, it means the legs or feet.
If palpated is empty, the baby may be in a transverse position in the uterus. This touching stage can also help doctors estimate the baby's weight and the volume of amniotic fluid.
Leopold 4
At the last stage, the doctor will touch the lower part of the mother's abdomen with both palms. This method can help the doctor know whether the baby's head has come down to the pelvic bone cavity (birth canal) or is still in the abdomen area. When it is full to the pelvic cavity, the baby's head should be difficult or no longer palpable.
Furthermore, a Leopold examination is also commonly followed by an examination of the mother's blood pressure and the baby's heart rate, and before delivery, the doctor may also perform a Cardiotocography (CTG) examination.
Leopold examination is a simple way to estimate the baby's position with a tactile technique like the explanation above. Even so, the level of accuracy of this examination can vary, so another examination may be needed to ascertain the condition of the baby, such as ultrasound.
Routine pregnancy checks to the obstetrician are important to undergo so that the health condition of the Mother and Little One can be monitored. With routine checks during pregnancy, including Leopold examinations, doctors can monitor the condition and position of the fetus, so they can determine the best method of delivery.
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