Leopold examination is an examination with a tactile method that serves to estimate the position of the baby in the womb.This examination is generally carried out during 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 variable and can change 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 gestational age, as well as the size and weight of the baby in the womb.
Leopold Examination Stages
Before the exam, you will be asked to urinate to empty your bladder. This is done so that the mother is more comfortable when the process of feeling the abdomen with the Leopold method is carried out.
Next, you will be asked to lie on your back with your head slightly elevated, then the 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 gently feels this area to estimate the part of the baby's body that is there.
The baby's head will feel hard and round in shape. While the baby's bottom, will feel like a large object with a soft texture. In about 95% of pregnancies, the buttocks are in the highest part of the uterus.
Leopold 2
At the Leopold 2 stage, the doctor's palms will slowly feel both sides of the mother's abdomen, precisely in the area around the navel. This step is done to find out your 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
In Leopold's stage 3 examination, the doctor will feel the lower part of your abdomen using the thumb and fingers of only one hand (right hand or left hand).
Similar to Leopold 1, this method aims to determine which part of the baby's body is in the lower part of the uterus. If it feels hard, it means the head. But if it feels like a moving object, it means a leg or foot.
If it feels empty, it could be that the baby is in a transverse position in the uterus. This tactile stage can also help doctors estimate the baby's weight and amniotic fluid volume.
Leopold 4
At the last stage, the doctor will feel the lower part of the mother's stomach with both palms. This method can help the doctor know whether the baby's head has descended to the pelvic bone cavity (birth canal) or is still in the abdominal area. When it is fully entered into the pelvic cavity, the baby's head should be difficult or no longer palpable.
Furthermore, the Leopold examination is also commonly followed by checking the mother's blood pressure and the baby's heart rate, and before delivery, the doctor may also carry out an examination Cardiotocography (CTG).
The Leopold examination is a simple way to estimate the baby's position with the tactile technique described above. Even so, the accuracy of this examination can vary, so other tests may be needed to confirm the baby's condition, such as ultrasound.
Routine pregnancy check-ups to the obstetrician are important to carry out so that the health condition of the mother and baby can be monitored. With regular checkups during pregnancy, including Leopold's examination, doctors can monitor the condition and position of the fetus, so that they can determine the best delivery method.