Antenatal Abdominal Palpation

Procedure

1. Ask the woman to empty her bladder before you begin.
2. Wash hands and ensure they are warm.
3. Position her semi-recumbent with a slight left lateral tilt.
4. Expose the abdomen from xiphisternum to symphysis pubis only.
5. Inspect for scars, striae, shape and fetal movement.
6. Measure symphysis-fundal height in centimetres with the tape reversed.
7. Perform fundal palpation to identify which pole occupies the fundus.
8. Perform lateral palpation to locate the fetal back.
9. Perform pelvic palpation to determine presentation and engagement.
10. Auscultate the fetal heart over the anterior shoulder for one full minute.
11. Document findings and compare against gestational age.