Is it unusual to be unable to palpate the uterus immediately after delivery?
Sep 28, '07
maybe it just wasn't contracted or the pt was too "plump" for it to be very obvious.
Sep 28, '07
If you could not feel that "cricket ball" hard uterus under your hand post delivery, then you would suspect abnormal. Its very distinctive, and normally so easy to feel.Suspect then.. Maybe retained products, preventing the uterus from contracting, check the bleeding..be aware of pph.
Oct 1, '07
Two other reasons for not being able to feel uterus:
1. She's sitting up to high. It's easiest to palpate the fundus if the patient is lying flat. The "fluffier" the patient, the more important it is for her to be flat.
2. Inverted uterus. If the fundus is in the vagina, you won't feel it abdominally
Oct 1, '07
Also, sometimes with an earlier preterm delivery (meaning 30ish weeks) it is way below the u & you have to look lower than you normally would. I've had 24-26 weekers deliver & I'm almost right at the pubis before I find their fundus.
Sep 28, '07Joined: Aug '07; Posts: 40; Likes: 18maybe it just wasn't contracted or the pt was too "plump" for it to be very obvious.
Sep 28, '07Occupation: midwife practitioner Specialty: 12 year(s) of experience in midwifery, NICU ; From: SC ; Joined: May '05; Posts: 1,742; Likes: 569If you could not feel that "cricket ball" hard uterus under your hand post delivery, then you would suspect abnormal. Its very distinctive, and normally so easy to feel.Suspect then.. Maybe retained products, preventing the uterus from contracting, check the bleeding..be aware of pph.
Oct 1, '07Occupation: LDR RN Specialty: 40 year(s) of experience in L&D ; Joined: Jun '05; Posts: 568; Likes: 439Two other reasons for not being able to feel uterus:
Oct 1, '07Joined: Nov '06; Posts: 20,715; Likes: 23,951Also, sometimes with an earlier preterm delivery (meaning 30ish weeks) it is way below the u & you have to look lower than you normally would. I've had 24-26 weekers deliver & I'm almost right at the pubis before I find their fundus.
