Antenatal Physical Examination - Part 2

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Examination: inspection
On inspection of the abdomen, there is an
<ovoid || globular>
swelling, consistent with
<the pregnant state || a ... trimester pregnancy>.

There
<are || are no>
cutaneous signs of pregnancy, such as striae gravidarum and linea nigra.

There
<are no visible scars || are visible scars consistent with a prior...>.

There
<are || are no>
visible fetal movements.

Examination: palpation
[Ask mother if tender anywhere on abdomen before touching, and also ask her to mention any discomfort of if feel faint during the examination].

I measured the symphysio-fundal height on the inches side to reduce observer error, and found it to be
<38 centimetres>,
which
<is || is not>
compatible with gestation.

The fetal parts that I feel in the fundus appear to be the
<breech>
as they are
<soft, irregular, and non-ballotable>.

The lie is
<longitudinal || transverse || oblique>
and the back would appear to be on the
<right || left>
as it offers more resistance to palpation and I feel small parts on the opposite side.

The presentation appears to be
<cephalic || breech || shoulder>.

The head
<is || is not>
engaged.

The fetus appears clinically
<normal || small || large>
in size.

The liquor volume appears clinically
<normal || reduced || increased>.

[Some obstetricians may ask about your liquor volume devining abilities: "Really? The liquor volume is normal? Perhaps we should toss out our expensive ultrasound and pay you instead." That is why it is important for you to include "clinically" in the desciption-- it is "clinically normal".]

Examination auscultation
The fetal heart is best heard over the
<back>
and
<below the level>
of the umbilicus, and is
<normal>.

Examination: summary
This is a
<singleton || multiple>
pregnancy,
<longitudinal || transverse || oblique>
lie,
<cephalic || breech>
presentation, the head
<is || is not engaged>,
the fetus is clinically
<normal || large || small>
in size, the liquor volume is clinically
<normal || reduced || increased>,
and the fetal heart is
<normal>.