LEOPOLDS MANEUVER

At the end of the lecture, the

students will be able to:

Identify the steps in performing

Leopolds Maneuver.
Identify considerations in
performing Leopolds
maneuver.

A midwife on duty is planning to

perform Leopod's Maneuver on a
laboring client. what should be the
midwife's initial action.
a. position client in a supine
position
b. Have the client void
c. wash hands in warm water.
d. apply sterile lubricant to the
abdomen

 is a common and systematic way

to determine the position of a
fetus inside the woman's uterus.
It is important because it helps
to determine the position and
presentation of the fetus.
Named after the gynecologist
Christian Gerhard Leopold.

 Maneuver is preferably performed

after 24 weeks gestation when fetal
outline can be already palpated.
The maneuvers is not truly diagnostic.
Actual position can only be
determined by ultrasound performed
by a competent technician or
professional.

 Difficult to perform in obese

women.
Women with hydramios.
Women with full bladder.

Things to Remember
Explain procedure to the patient.
Instruct woman to empty her
bladder first.
Place woman in dorsal recumbent
position, supine with knees slightly
flexed. Place a small pillow under
the head for comfort.
Drape properly to maintain privacy.
.

 Warm hands by rubbing

together. (Cold hands can
stimulate uterine contraction)
Use the palm for palpation
not the fingers.

 While facing the woman,

palpate the woman's upper
abdomen with both hands.
Often determine the size,
consistency, shape, and
mobility of the form that is
felt.

What lies at the fundus?

The fetal head is hard, firm, round,

and moves independently of the
trunk.
The buttocks feels softer, is
symmetric, and has small bony
prominences; it moves with the
trunk.

 The maneuver attempts to

determine the location of the
fetal back.
Facing the woman, the health
care provider palpates each
side of the abdomen with
gentle but deep pressure using
the tips of his or her hands.

Where is the fetal back?

 The fetal back is firm

and smooth, hard,
resistant surface.
Fetal extremities feels
like small irregularities
and protrusions.

 Determine what fetal

part is lying above the
inlet, or lower abdomen.

What is in the inlet?

 The individual performing

the maneuver first grasps
the lower portion of the
abdomen just above the
symphysis pubis with the
thumb and fingers of the
right hand.

What is in the inlet?

 The health care provider faces the

woman's feet, as he or she will
attempt to locate the fetus' brow.
To determine the degree of flexion of
the fetal head.
The fingers of both hands are moved
gently down the sides of the uterus
towards the pubis.