What it means
A hands-on exam done late in pregnancy and in labor. The examiner feels the top of the uterus, the two sides, the area just above the pubic bone, and then down toward the pelvis to find the fetal head, back, buttocks and limbs. It shows the fetus's lie, presentation and position, and where to place the fetal heart monitor. It is named after Christian Leopold, a German obstetrician who described it in 1894.
For the nurse
Have the client empty her bladder first, lie on her back with knees slightly bent and a small wedge under one hip, and warm your hands. The fetal heart is usually heard best over the fetal back.
At a glance
| Also written | Leopold maneuver, Leopold's maneuvers, Leopold’s maneuvers |
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Related terms
presenting part
The part of the fetus that lies closest to the cervix and enters the birth canal first.
fetal monitor
A device that records the fetal heart rate and the mother's contractions during pregnancy and labor.