Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Exam Prep 2026 – Complete Practice Resource

Leopold maneuvers are a series of specific palpation techniques used to determine the position of the fetus in the uterus, particularly after the 20-week mark of pregnancy. This technique involves systematically palpating the mother's abdomen to assess the fetal position, presentation (the part of the fetus that is at the birth canal), and engagement in the pelvis.

The maneuvers provide valuable information about whether the fetus is in a head-down (cephalic) position, breech position, or transverse lie, which can greatly inform the management of labor and delivery. By using Leopold maneuvers, healthcare providers can also discern the location of the back and limbs of the fetus, which assists in planning for any necessary interventions during delivery.

Other techniques mentioned have different primary indications or are used for different assessments. A pelvic examination is typically performed to assess cervical dilation and effacement closer to labor rather than to check fetal position. The Bishop score is a scoring system used to evaluate the readiness of the cervix for labor but does not provide information on fetal position. Fundal height measurement helps assess fetal growth and development but does not determine the specific position of the fetus within the uterus. Thus, Leopolds maneuvers are specifically designed to assess fetal