Fetal palpation commonly used to detect a variety of complications that can occur during pregnancy. One recent study of 1639 pregnant women compared symphysis fundal height (SFH) measurement with palpation to detect fetal intrauterine growth restriction and abnormal fetal growth. It also compared both techniques' efficacy in reducing neonatal hypoglycaemia; admission to neonatal nursery; premature labor and C-sections (Robert et al. 2012). "Symphysis-fundal height (SFH) measurement refers to the distance (measured in centimetres) over the abdominal wall from the top of the uterus (fundus) to the upper border of the symphysis pubis" (Symphysis-fundal height measurement, 2012, Midirs.org). Larger-than-average measurements are associated with breech deliveries -- or simply a larger-than-average baby. Smaller-than-average measurements can indicate a smaller-than-average baby or insufficient amniotic fluid (Symphysis-fundal height measurement, 2012, Midirs.org). The study found no difference between the techniques "but suggested no change in the current practice of using clinical palpation vs. SFH as the preferred method to test for a wider range of prenatal problems" (Symphysis-fundal height measurement, 2012, Midirs.org).

Another, smaller study indicated that for high-risk pregnancies, ultrasound may be superior to both manual methods. The study of 174 pregnant women found that "palpation...can be used as alternatives to ultrasound" but only if "the measurements are taken by experienced, skilled personnel" for normal-weight, low-risk babies" (Khani et al. 20011). The study which simply compared estimated size of the fetus vs. actual sizes found that for normal babies there was a significant correlation between weight and estimations by palpation, but not for smaller-than-average fetuses, for which they found ultrasounds more effective (Khani et al. 2011).

References

Khani, S., Ahmad-Shirvani, M., Mohseni-Bandpei, M., & Mohammadpour-Tahmtan, R. (2011).

Comparison of abdominal palpation, Johnson's technique and ultrasound in the estimation of fetal weight in northern Iran. Midwifery, 27(1), 99-103. doi:10.1016/j.midw.2009.10.005

Robert Peter, J., Ho, J., Valliapan, J., & Sivasangari, S. (2012). Symphysial fundal height (SFH)

measurement in pregnancy for detecting abnormal fetal growth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (7), CINAHL Plus with Full Text, EBSCO host (accessed October 13, 2012).

Symphysis-fundal height measurement. (2012). Midirs.org. Retrieved October 13, 2012 at http://www.midirs.org/development/studentmidwife.nsf/FC3E6E492F5CC7F780257743004543A6/$File/Abdominal.pdf