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Abdominal examination
The abdominal examination consists of:
1 - Preparation for this
2 - Inspection
3 - Fundal palpation,
4 - Lateral palpation
5 - Pelvic palpation
6 - Auscultation
7 - Documentation and decision making

Preparation

It is important to carry out the usual

essential care skills such as:
Introduce yourself to the woman
Consult the antenatal notes
Determine the level of risk and the
maternity care needs of the woman
Respect hygiene measures and the
privacy of the woman.

Inspection

The woman’s abdomen is inspected for

it’s shape. This can indicate size and lie of
the fetus, the amount of amniotic fluid and
sometimes fetal movement may be
noticed. Obvious scars will be seen and
this information may be significant.

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Abdominal examination

Fundal height

Fundal height Is measured to estimate

whether this is in keeping with the
expected date of birth. This can be done
using landmarks i.e. xiphisternum, where
the fundal height can be measured by
fingerbreadths in relation to this, and the
period of gestation is calculated.

36 weeks Fundal height

Xiphisternum
40 weeks
30 weeks

Umbilicus 24 weeks

16 weeks

12 weeks

Fundal palpation

Using the flat interior of the tips of the

middle fingers of both hands the fundus is
palpated to identify the fetal pole (cephalic
or breech). If no pole is located the lie is
not longitudinal.

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Abdominal examination
Fundal palpation

Fundal palpation is carried out to find out

the lie and presentation of the fetus. Things
which influence the fundal height are:
maternal parity, size, full bladder, the lie
and the number of fetusses. To determine
what is found in the fundus a hand is
placed on the abdomen below the
xiphisternum and gently moved downwards
until the fundus is felt.

Alternatively a measuring tape is used

keeping the graduated side downwards so
as not to influence the reader.

The antenatal notes are that consulted to

see if the growth is normal.

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Abdominal examination
Lateral palpation

Lateral palpation assesses the main body

of the uterus to confirm the lie and identify
the fetal position. The fetal back is usually
firmer and more regular in form than the
other side of the fetus i.e. the abdomen
and the limbs. One hand is placed on one
side of the uterus to apply pressure, whilst
the other attempts, using the flats of the
fingertips, to identify what is found in the
opposite side.
For example: images on the left
demonstrate the practitioner applying
pressure, using the left hand, then
progressing down the length of the uterus
with the right.

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Abdominal examination
Lateral palpation

The same manoeuvres are then carried

out on the other side of the uterus, that
is the right hand held firmly on the
mothers left side of the uterus and the
flats of the insides of the fingertips
identify the shape and form of the right
side of the uterus.
See images on the left.
Lateral palpation also provides insight
into the size of the fetus, the tone of the
uterus, amniotic fluid volume and also
whether fetal movements are present.

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Abdominal examination
Pelvic palpation

Pelvic palpation is used to identify the

presentation, that is the part of the fetus
lying in the lower pole of the uterus,
over the pelvic brim. It can be
determined whether:
• the fetus is flexed or extended
• the presenting part is engaged or not
• the presenting part is mobile
(ballotable), or engaging
To carry out pelvic palpation both
hands are used. One hand is placed on
either side of the presentation and
pressure is applied. The presentation
can be felt. It may help if the woman
takes a deep breath and blows out.
Engagement of the presentation is
assessed according to the passage of
the widest diameter of the presenting
part through the pelvic brim.

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Abdominal examination
Auscultation
Locating the fetal presentation and lie will be helpful to show where to place
the stethoscope to listen to the fetal heart. The approximate points of fetal
heart sounds are shown on the image below.

right occipito posterior

left occipito posterior

left occipito anterior

right occipito anterior

The fetal heart is assessed for its

presence, its rate and its regularity.
The normal heart rate is between 110
& 150 beats per minute.
This is easy to distinguish from the
maternal heart rate, which must also
be assessed to determine that the fetal
heart is actually being listened to.

Following the procedure the findings

are discussed with the mother and
documentation and follow up carried
out as appropriate.

Records

Records of the abdominal examination should include the

following features: the fundal height, the lie, presentation and
degree of engagement, the position (if identified), the fetal heart
rate and whether fetal movements are felt.

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Abdominal examination
Abdominal examination during pregnancy

Abdominal examination provides the woman with information that pregnancy

is progressing well. She can be reassured regarding fetal growth and fetal
wellbeing. Other examinations and tests are used in conjunction with the
abdominal examination, for example ultrasonic scan.

Abdominal examination during labour

Abdominal examination can be undertaken to assess progress and to help

make decisions regarding the care required by the woman during labour. This
examination is used with other information for example: input from the woman
findings from vaginal examination and other maternal and fetal information
(blood tests, scans, other information gathered).
Reasons for carrying out abdominal examination in labour are to determine
the gestational age, the lie, the position, presentation and engagement of the
fetal head and to listen to the fetal heart. The progress of labour is assessed
as is descent and rotation of the presenting part.
Abdominal examination is always carried out prior to auscultation and before
fetal monitoring (CTG). It is also done before performing the vaginal
examination.
It is important to carry out abdominal examination between multiple births, for
example, after the first twin and the first and second triplet. This helps in the
appropriate management and decision making of these more complex birthing
situations.

Author: Adela Hamilton, Senior Lecturer in Midwifery

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