 INTRODUCTION

 ABDOMINAL
EXAMINATION IN
PREGNANCY
 STAGES OF LABOUR
 MECHANISM OF LABOUR
AND THE PARTOGRAM
 Always explain to the patient the need and the
nature of the proposed examination.
 Obtain a verbal consent once she has been told
what the examination would entail.
 The examiner (male or female) should be
accompanied by another female(chaperone).
 Examination performed in a private side-room,
respecting patient's privacy at all times.
 Patient should be covered at all times and
relevant parts of her anatomy only exposed.
 Make sure the room is well lit and comfortably
warm.
 Ensure the patient has emptied her bladder
before examining her abdomen.
 Patient should lie in the supine position with
a pillow under the head and arms by her
side.
 She is slightly rolled to the left side to
prevent compression of the inferior vena
cava by the enlarged uterus (inferior
venacaval syndrome or supine hypotensive
syndrome).
 Ask for any tender area before palpating
the abdomen.
 Inspection

 Palpation

 Auscultation
- Describe the abdominal
distension (pyriform).
- Previous
operative(Caesarean)scars
- Striae gravidarum or
stretch marks
- Linea nigra- a dark vertical
line appearing on the
abdomen from the pubis to
above the umbilicus during
pregnancy due to increase
melanocyte-stimulating
hormone made by the
placenta.
- Visible foetal movements.
 Fundal height (Symphysis-fundal height)
 Foetal poles
 Foetal lie
 Presentation- cephalic(head),breech,etc
 Attitude
 Level of engagement of presenting part
 State of uterine wall/ myometrium
 Liquor volume
 Estimate foetal weight
 Foetal movements
1) Symphysis-fundal height(Size
and gestational age of the
uterus):
More objective, distance from the
symphysis pubis to the uterine
fundus (top of the uterus)- size of
the uterus directly related to the
size of the fetus.
Technique:
-Palpate down from xiphi-sternum to
determine the highest part of the
uterus(fundus),may not always be
in the midline.
-Mark this point with a pen after
obtaining her permission.
-A tape measure turned upside-
down(blinded to avoid bias) is then
placed from the mid-point on the
uppermost border of the symphysis
pubis over the curve of the uterus
to the marked highest point of the
uterus.
-The tape is then turned and actual
measurement in cm is recorded,
preferably in graphic form.
 Recording of the symphysis- fundal
height (SFH) on antenatal growth
chart:
-The first SFH plotted against a particular
gestational age(if this is known), on
the horizontal axis of the graph.
-If menstrual dates uncertain and no
early ultrasound scan available, the
first SFH plotted against its own
particular measurement on the
vertical axis, placed on the 50th
percentile line.
-The estimated gestational age read off
the horizontal axis.
-All subsequent SFH measurements then
plotted at the correct time intervals
from the first measurement.
-SFH should increase by about 1cm per
wk from 20 to 34 weeks with normal
growth.
2) Palpation of the contents
of the uterus:
Palpated using four Leopold's
manoeuvres
 The fundal grip(foetal
poles):
-Both hands placed over the
fundus and the contents of
the fundus determined.
-A hard smooth, round pole
indicates a fetal head.
-A softer triangular pole
continuous with the fetal
body is the fetal
buttocks(breech).
 The lateral grip(Fetal lie):
-Move both hands in a downward
direction from the fundus along the
sides of the uterus to determine the
"lie" of the foetus.
-"Lie" is the relationship btw the
longitudinal axis of the foetus and the
longitudinal axis of the mother.
-The "lie" is usually longitudinal, hence
baby is lying length-wise in the same
direction as mother's longitudinal
axis.
-Other "lies" are transverse lie (fetus lies
across the long. axis of mother) and
oblique lie (foetus lies at an oblique
angle to the mother's long. axis).
-Can also determine which side the
foetal back is situated by feeling the
firm regular surface of the foetal back
on one side and the irregular, lumpy
surface as the foetal limbs on the
 Pawlik's grip (Presenting
part):
-The thumb and middle fingers
of the right hand are placed
wide apart over the
suprapubic area to determine
the presenting part.
-Presenting part of fetus is the
lowest most part of the fetus at
the inlet of the pelvis(the
lower fetal pole as opposed to
the fetal pole in the fundus).
-Cephalic or breech
presentation distinguished
from each other as indicated
in the previous slide.
 Deep pelvic grip:
Determines two points about the fetus
1)The attitude of the fetal head:
-The examiner turns around to face patients
feet.
-Each hand placed on either side of the fetal
trunk lower down.
-The hands moved downwards towards the
fetal head.
-Note made as to which hand first touches the
fetal head (This point called cephalic
prominence).
-Cephalic prominence helps determine the
attitude (i.e. flexion, deflexed or extended)
of fetal head.
-If cephalic prominence is on the opposite side
of fetal back, fetal head is well flexed
(normal position).
-If cephalic prominence on the same side as
fetal back, fetal head is extended
(abnormal position).
-If examiners hands reach the fetal head
equally on both sides, fetal head is
deflexed ('Military position, indicating mal-
position)
2)Engagement of the fetal head: - If you divide the fetal head into
- Continue moving both hands five-fifths, you estimate how many
down around the fetal head, fifths of the fetal head can be felt.
determine how far around the - If 5,4 or 3 fifths can still be
head you can get. palpated, most of the head is still
- Engagement of the fetal head up, hence the widest part of the
defined as having occurred once head has not engaged into the
the widest transverse diameter of pelvis.
the fetal head (bi-parietal - If only 2,1 or 0 fifths of fetal head
diameter) has passed through the felt, the widest part of the head
pelvic inlet into the true pelvis. has engaged into the pelvis.
- Examiner should be able to
palpate part of fetal head still in
the lower abdomen (also called
the 'false' pelvis but cannot
palpate the part of fetal head in
the true pelvis.
 The
Leopold's
Manouevre.
 Additional uterine assessment:
1) The myometrium (uterine wall):
-Comment on whether the myometrium is soft (normal antenatal
state) or contracting (normal state when in labour is 30-60 sec
period of being firm to hard followed by 2-5 min interval of
being soft).
-It may also be hard in abruptio placentae or irritable whenever
palpation of uterus attempted as in intrauterine growth
impairment of the foetus).
2) The liquor volume:
-Assessment made of the volume of amniotic fluid surrounding the
foetus.
-Reduced volume called Oligohydranios and foetal parts are easily
felt.
-Increased volume called polyhydramnios and there is difficulty in
feeling the foetal parts.
3) Estimate foetal weight:
-Difficult and requires practice.
- Foetus of 28wks gestation and SFH of 28cm is approx 1.1kg
- A 34wk foetus with SFH of 34cm is approx 2.2kg
- A term foetus (40wks) with variable SFH btw 36 and 40cm is
approx 3.3kg.
- Each week btw these parameters accounts for about 200g.

4) Foetal movements:
-During the examination note any foetal movements (kicks and
rolling motions).
-Healthy foetuses move, sick or sleepy foetuses don't move.
 Auscultation of the
foetal heart:
- Auscultated with a foetal
stethoscope( Pinard's
foetal stethoscope) or
with a doptone machine.
- Best place to listen is
over the foetal back,
closer to the cephalic
pole.
- The normal foetal heart
rate is btw 110 to 160
beats per minute.
Part 2
 Introduction
 Learning objectives
 The Partogram
 Stages of labour
 Mechanism of a normal delivery
Labour divided into 3 stages:

 The first stage of labour: from onset of labour to

full cervical dilatation.
This has 2 phases-
a) Latent phase: from onset of labour to 3cm cervical
dilatation with full effacement. This phase of
variable duration- on average last 8 hrs.
b) Active phase: From 3cm dilatation to full cervical
dilatation. Duration more predictable.
Primigravidas (first pregnancy)- dilate at rate of
1cm/hr. Takes a max. of 7hrs.
Multigravidas (given birth at least once)- dilate at a
rate of 1.5cm/hr. Takes a max. of 4 to 5 hrs.
 The second stage of labour: from full cervical dilatation
to the delivery of the fetus.
This has 2 phases:
a) First phase of second stage: from full cervical dilatation to until
the woman feels the urge to bear down.
Primigravidas- lasts from a few mins up to 1hr
Multigravidas- lasts from a few mins up to 30 mins
b) Second phase of second stage: From the woman feeling the urge
to bear down to the delivery of the fetus. This is the phase when
the woman 'pushes' and expels the fetus.
In uncomplicated delivery, takes 5 to 10 mins.

 The third stage of labour: from delivery of the fetus to

completion of delivery of the placenta and membranes.
This stage usually lasts 5 mins.
After this skills training session you will have
achieved the following:
 Know what a partogram is and how it is used as a
tool to assess the following:
I. Progress of labour in the first stage of labour
II. Maternal well-being
III. Foetal well-being
 Learnt the mechanism of normal vaginal
delivery in the second stage of labour of a
foetus with a cephalic presentation in a left
occipito-anterior position(LOA).
 The management of the third stage of labour
should be witnessed in the labour ward.
 The following information recorded on the partogram at the
extreme left hand side, irrespective of the phase of labour.
 This recorded information represents initial findings on
admission of the patient to the labour ward.
 Thereafter, if the pregnant labouring woman is in the latent
phase of the first stage of labour, repeat observations
documented at correct time interval along the x-axis from
previous findings.
 Once the woman is assessed as progressing into active
phase of labour, the observations are shifted from the left
hand side of the partogram to the middle of the partogram
onto the first of two diagonal lines drawn across the cervical
graphic part of the partogram.
 Firststage of labour
 Second stage of labour

I. The maternal well-being

II. The progress of labour
III. The fetal well-being

 Third stage of labour

I. The maternal well-being:
-Established from the history and physical examination.
-Patients antenatal card is also reviewed.
-Certain features are documented on the partogram:
i. Age, gravidity and parity: documented on the top of the
partogram, together with pt's name, hospital number and the
date.
ii. Risk factors: identified from history, antenatal card or from
physical examination also documented on the top of the
partogram.
iii. Blood pressure and pulse rate: recorded on the lower part of
the partogram under 'maternal condition'. The BP and Pulse
is repeated every 2hrs in the latent phase of labour and
hrly in the active phase.
iv. Temperature: documented every 4hrs through out
labour. Recorded beneath section for BP and pulse.
v. Urine output: Volume of urine documented and recorded
beneath BP and pulse. Urine also tested for protein,
glucose and ketones every 4hrs in the latent phase of
labour and 2hrly in the active phase.
vi. Treatment: Any treatment given recorded at the time given
beneath the section on 'contractions'. Examples include
analgesia (pethidine for pain relief), intravenous fluids,
and oxytocin (given to improve contractions).
II. The progress of labour: 5)Attitude-well flexed head.
-This is repeated 4hrly in the
A-The intrapartum abdominal latent phase and 2hrly in
examination: the active phase of labour.
-conducted as explained earlier 6)Engagement/decent of the
and document findings as: presenting part-(fifth's of
the fetal head palpable
1)SFH-38cm. abdominally above the
2)Upper Pole-Breech in the pelvic inlet).
fundus. -Documented on the partogram
3)Lie- Longitudinal with fetal by drawing a circle 'O'-size
back on the patient's left of a R1 coin ( to represent
side. cephalic presentation) on
4)Presentation-Cephalic. the cervical graph against
the measurements on the y-
axis representing 0,1,2,3,4,
or 5 fifth's above the pelvic
inlet.
B-Contractions:
-Assessing the state of the myometrium.
-In labour uterus is contracting and feels hard during the contractions.
-Place your hand on the abdomen for 10 mins and record contractions.
-Done 4hrly in the latent phase and 2hrly in the active phase of labour.
-Assess the following:

1)The frequency of contractions:

-the number of contractions felt in 10mins.
-recorded on the partogram by shading in the number of blocks below the
cervical graph corresponding to the number of contractions palpated in
10mins.
-Normally there should be 3 contractions per 10mins in the active phase of
labour.
2)The intensity and duration of each contraction:

-Time the strength of each contraction.

-A 'weak contraction' lasting less than 20secs
recorded on the partogram by a light stippling of
the blocks to be shaded for the frequency of
contractions.
-'Moderate contractions' lasting 20 to 40secs are
shaded in the relevant blocks with diagonal
lines.
-'Strong contractions' lasting more than 40secs are
shaded in the relevant blocks solidly or darkly.
C-The intrapartum vaginal examination:
-Bearing in mind privacy, respect and a female chaperone.
-Patient informed that an internal examination to be
performed.
-In the supine position, hips and knees flexed and hips slightly
abducted with feet together.
-Examiner on the right side of patient.
-Initially the gloved index finger of the right hand inserted
through the introitus into the vaginal canal. If patient
comfortable with this, the middle finger of the same hand
also inserted. If painful then a limited bimanual examination
with one finger can be performed.
-This is repeated 4hrly in the latent phase and 2hrly in the
active phase of labour.
-Assess the features of the Cervix and the fetal head.
1) The cervix: b. The cervical effacement:
a. The cervical dilatation: - The external length of the
- The cervical os dilatation is cervix is assessed by placing
estimated in centimeters, by the index and middle fingers
placing the index and lateral to the cervix in the
middle fingers at 3 and 9 right lateral fornix.
o'clock on the edge of the - Estimate the length of the
cervical os. cervix in centimeters.
- It may be closed i.e. 0cm - It may be 3,2,1cm long (fully
- It may be 1,2,3.....9 or 10 cm effaced).
dilated. - Record this on the partogram
- Record this measurement on by means of a 'bar column'
the partogram by means of a equivalent to the length of the
large 'X' at the cervix on the x-axis of the
corresponding dilatation on cervical graph.
the cervical graph. - A fully effaced cervix
indicated as a flat line on the
x-axis.
2) The foetal head:
Foetal head is felt and the following assessed:
a. Foetal head position:
-A well-flexed fetal head defines the position of the head as
foetal 'Occiput ' relative to the maternal pelvis.
-Palpating the suture lines on the foetal skull helps assess
where the fetal 'occiput ' is.
-In the LOA position, the foetal 'occiput' is on the left hand side
of the maternal pelvis and is more displaced towards the
anterior part of her pelvis.
-The position of the foetal head is documented on the
partogram by drawing the palpated suture lines within the
large 'O' that documented the degree of engagement of
the foetal head.
b. Moulding:
-These same suture lines are then assessed for moulding (degree of
overlap between the fetal bones during passage through the birth
canal).
-Normally the skull bones are slightly apart and a gap or groove is
palpable btw the bones (0+ moulding).
-As labour progresses, this gap may disappear as the bone edges
are pushed together (1+ moulding).
-If there is a tight fit btw the fetal head and the birth canal, the skull
bones overlap slightly, but this can be reduced with gentle digital
pressure (2+ moulding).
-In case where the fetal head is too big for the birth canal, the skull
bones clearly overlap and cannot be reduced (3+ moulding)
-The degree of moulding is recorded on the partogram as
0,1+,2+,3+ for both sagittal and lamboid suture lines just above
the cervical graph.
c. Caput:
- During labour fetal is pushed against the steadily
dilating cervix and a degree of swelling on the fetal
scalp does occur called cervical caput (1+ caput)
and considered normal.
- If fetal head too big for the birth canal ,it is
compressed against the pelvic bones and extensive
caput forms beyond the confines of the cervical os,
termed extensive caput (caput2+) and indicates a
problem with labour.
- -The degree of caput is recorded on the partogram
as 0,1+,or 2+ in the area just above the cervical
graph.
III. Fetal well-being:
The following features of fetal well-being assessed during
labour:
a) The liquor fluid/amniotic fluid:
-Assessment made whether the fetal membranes(amnion and
chorion) are still intact('I') or ruptured, either
spontaneously('SROM') or artificially('AROM') and
documented in the section just above the cervical graph.
-If no membranes are felt, note made of the colour of liquor
fluid draining at the time of examination. Documented as
'C' for clear liquor or 'M' as meconium stained liquor.
-Meconium stained means that the liquor is green in colour
indicating the foetus has passed meconium (foetal gastro-
intestinal content) indicating possible foetal distress or
compromise
b) Fetal heart rate monitoring: -

- Monitored using the foetal stethoscope(Pinard's),

a doptone, or a cardiotocograph.
- Foetal heart rate auscultated just before, during
and directly after a contraction to assess the
effect of contraction on the foetal heart rate.
- The following are recorded at the top of the
partogram with dots or crosses corresponding to
the foetal heart rate grading:
- Baseline foetal heart rate (normal btw 110 and
160 beats per minute) and presence or absence
of decelerations (a decrease below the baseline
foetal heart rate, normally not present).
Fetal heart rate grading:
Grade 1- Normal heart rate and pattern 110-160.
Grade 2- rate > 160 or 100-110 with no decelerations
Grade 3- fetal heart rate pattern shows decelerations during
contraction only (Early deceleration).
3a with normal hear rate and 3b with abnormal heart rate
Grade 4- decelerations during contraction that only recover slowly,
about 30 secs after contraction has ended (Late deceleration)
4a with normal heart rate and 4b with an abnormal rate
Grade 5- persistent fetal bradycardia below 100 beats per minute.

-Fetal heart rate should be assessed and recorded every

hour during the latent phase, every half hourly during
the active phase and every 15mins in the second stage
of labour.
I. Maternal condition: III. Fetal condition:
-As documented during the first
stage of labour. -Fetal heart rate monitoring is done
-During this expulsive phase, when as described earlier.
pushing, the woman needs -Performed more frequently (every
support and encouragement. 15 minutes).
II. Progress of labour:
-Vaginal examination performed
more frequently, every 30 to
60 mins to assess signs
mentioned above as well as the
'decent' of the presenting part.
-Decent- movement of presenting
part down the birth canal
towards the introitus.
A normal vaginal delivery of a foetus with
a cephalic presentation in a left
occipito- anterior position(LOA) will be
described.
 Note: the maternal bony pelvis made up
of three parts, the pelvic inlet, the mid-
pelvis and the pelvic outlet.
 The foetus will need to negotiate these
parts of the pelvis during the birth
process.
 Descent:
-The fetal head descends through the pelvic inlet to the mid-pelvis in
the LOA position.
 Flexion:
-During this process the fetal head becomes more and more flexed.
 Internal rotation:
-The foetus rotates 45 degrees internally, from LOA position, to direct
occipito-anterior position (OA) due to the shape of the pelvic floor
muscles( levator ani muscles).
 Birth by extension:
-The foetal head passes through the pelvic outlet in the direct OA
position and is born through the introitus by now extending the
head.
 Restitution:
-The foetal had undergone 45 degrees
internal rotation relative to the maternal
pelvis and also relative to the rest of the
foetal body.
-Now that it is free of the maternal introitus,
the baby's head will revert back to its
original position relative to its body, i.e.
back to an LOA position by turning back
45 degrees.
 External rotation:
-At the same time as internal rotation and the birth of the
head, the foetal shoulders have descended in an
oblique diameter through the pelvic inlet to the mid-
pelvis.
-As restitution of baby's head takes place, the fetal
shoulders now undergo internal rotation from their
oblique diameter into a direct anterior-posterior
position in order to negotiate the pelvic outlet, just as
the head did.
-The baby's free head rotates further from LOA position
to a direct left occipito-transverse position(LOT).
-Both restitution and external rotation take place as one
movement.
 Birth of the shoulders:
-The shoulders are now born. The anterior
shoulder is born under the pubic
symphysis and pivots there while the
posterior shoulder is born over the
perineum by lateral flexion.
 Birth of the trunk and extremities:
-Once the shoulders are born, the rest of
the baby is born with relative ease.
 You must observe this stage on your visit to the labour ward.
 Oxytocin (medication that contracts the uterus) should have
been given at some stage between delivery of the anterior
shoulder of the baby and complete expulsion of the baby.
 The umbilical cord is clamped and cut and the baby is dried
and wrapped up.
 Gentle traction applied to the umbilical cord while awaiting
placental separation.
 The placenta has separated from the uterine wall once you
observe a gush of blood and gradual lengthening of the
umbilical cord.
 The placenta is then removed by gentle traction, ensuring all
fetal membranes are also removed, often by repeatedly
rotating the placenta.
 The placenta is inspected for completeness.
 Skillstraining protocol from department
of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
 South African Family Practice Manual by
Bob Mash.
 Hutchinson's clinical methods by Micheal
Swash.
 Pictures from Google images.