Fetal Head Balloting

Balloting of the fetal head is an oscillatory movement that is determined by jerky pressure on the abdominal wall of a pregnant woman in the area of ​​the fundus of the uterus. This sign may indicate a breech presentation of the fetus and is one of the criteria for conducting additional research and deciding on the method of delivery.

Ballooning of the fetal head can be detected at different stages of pregnancy, but is most common in the third trimester. This is due to the fact that the fetal head begins to descend into the pelvis and becomes more rounded and heavier. As a result, when pressing on the fundus of the uterus, the fetal head can make oscillatory movements.

It is important to note that the protrusion of the fetal head is not the only sign of a breech presentation. There are other signs, such as shortening of the cervix, changes in the position of the fetus, a decrease in the height of the uterine fundus, etc. Therefore, for an accurate diagnosis of breech presentation, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive examination.

If a protruding fetal head is detected, the pregnant woman may be referred for additional tests, such as ultrasound, CTG (cardiotocography) and amnioscopy. These methods make it possible to determine the position of the fetus and its condition in the uterus.

If the examination confirms breech presentation, then measures must be taken to prevent complications during childbirth. For example, drugs that relax the uterus or a caesarean section may be prescribed. All this is done in order to avoid complications for the mother and fetus during childbirth and ensure the safe birth of the child.

Thus, protrusion of the fetal head is an important sign of breech presentation and requires additional examination and measures to prevent complications.

**Balloting of the head** is a phenomenon that characterizes fluctuations of the uterine fundus during light palpation in the area between the large segment of the midline and the womb of the pregnant woman. When “balloting” the fetus is in a breech position, the head extends into the pelvic area, and the buttocks into the vagina. With a sharp flexion movement of the fetus in the uterine cavity, the fetal head takes the correct insertion into the entrance to the pelvis, and this position leads to the appearance of balloting - vibrations of the lower edge of the uterus. The border between true and false is blurred. True voting is accompanied by a change in the shape and size of the uterus: its lower border thickens, and the apex of the uterus moves in the opposite direction. False voting should be distinguished from true voting. As a rule, this complication is observed in multiparous and repeat pregnant women after 38 weeks. The fetus changes position, but the correct insertion is not established in the pelvis. It moves either to the bottom of the uterus or to its edge. If the changes may not cause suspicion, then the Obukhov-Guardiner symptom may appear - when pressure is applied to the fundus of the uterus, with a correct breech presentation, the fetal head makes a rotational movement from side to side. If the symptom becomes pronounced, there is a true election of the fetus in the fundus of the uterus.