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In obstetrics, Leopold maneuvers are a common and systematic way to determine the position of a fetus inside the woman's uterus. They are named after the gynecologist Christian Gerhard Leopold. They are also used to estimate term fetal weight. [1] The maneuvers consist of four distinct actions, each helping to determine the position of the fetus.
Fetal position (British English: also foetal) is the positioning of the body of a prenatal fetus as it develops. In this position, the back is curved, the head is bowed, and the limbs are bent and drawn up to the torso. A compact position is typical for fetuses. Many newborn mammals, especially rodents, remain in a fetal position well after birth.
In obstetrics, position is the orientation of the fetus in the womb, identified by the location of the presenting part of the fetus relative to the pelvis of the mother. Conventionally, it is the position assumed by the fetus before the process of birth, as the fetus assumes various positions and postures during the course of childbirth .
Being upright during labour and birth can increase the available space within the pelvis by 28–30% giving more room to the baby for rotation and descent. There is also a 54% decreased incidence of foetal heart rate abnormalities when the mother is upright. [ 9 ]
By about week 21, the fetus begins to develop a regular schedule of movement. [17] The startle reflex is present in half of all fetuses by week 24 and in all fetuses by week 28. [19] Movement is restricted around this time because the fetus has grown so large it has little space for kicking or changing body position. [20]
A woman pregnant for the first time (nulliparous) typically feels fetal movements at about 21 weeks, whereas a woman who has given birth before will typically feel movements by 20 weeks. [13] By the end of the fifth month, the fetus is about 20 cm (8 in) long.