Intrapartum ultrasound offers a clear view of fetal positioning during childbirth.

Beyond the Feel: How Intrapartum Ultrasound is Changing Childbirth

Jordan Keane in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Is bedside ultrasound the key to safer, more informed deliveries?"

For centuries, obstetrics relied heavily on palpation, a hands-on method where practitioners assessed labor progress through touch and feel. While this approach has been a cornerstone of maternity care, it inherently carries a degree of subjectivity. Today's healthcare landscape demands precision and safety, urging us to explore innovative tools that can complement and enhance traditional practices.

Enter intrapartum ultrasound (IPU), a technology that's been quietly transforming delivery rooms. Since its introduction in the 1980s, ultrasound has become indispensable in various areas of women's health. Yet, its application during labor remains less widespread, shadowed by the enduring legacy of clinical examination.

But what if we could visualize what we feel? What if technology could offer a clearer, more objective view of the baby's journey through the birth canal? This article delves into the world of intrapartum ultrasound, examining its potential to improve outcomes for both mother and child. We'll explore the research, the techniques, and the future of this promising approach to childbirth.

The Limitations of Touch: Why Palpation Falls Short

Intrapartum ultrasound offers a clear view of fetal positioning during childbirth.

In most delivery rooms worldwide, the primary method for assessing labor relies on physical examination. Clinicians skillfully use their hands to determine the baby's position, descent, and the dilation of the cervix. This method has been the gold standard for centuries, however, study shows it’s time to face the facts: it isn't always as accurate as we might hope. Several limitations can affect accuracy:

Numerous studies have revealed a significant margin of error in assessments made through palpation. Factors such as the examiner's experience, the patient's anatomy, and even the presence of swelling or molding of the baby's head can cloud the picture. This is especially the case while determining of the fetal head, its position, and its relation to the maternal pelvis.

Subjectivity: Palpation is inherently subjective, varying based on the experience and skill of the examiner.
Limited Visibility: Examiners rely solely on touch, missing crucial details about the baby's position and the pelvic structure.
Error Rates: Studies show significant error rates in assessing fetal head position and descent, even among experienced practitioners.
Compromised accuracy: Head swelling makes the palpation more prone to error.

Compared to traditional methods, studies show that ultrasonography offers a more accurate view. In fact, research indicates that even experienced physicians can misjudge fetal head position in one out of three cases. By switching to bedside ultrasound, you can prevent error while making important decisions.

Embracing the Future: The Sonopartogram and Beyond

The integration of IPU paves the way for innovative tools like the sonopartogram, where ultrasound measurements replace traditional palpation findings. This creates a visual record of labor progress, offering a more comprehensive and objective view. By embracing new technologies and refining our techniques, we can elevate the safety and well-being of mothers and newborns alike. A world where every birth is as safe and supported as possible.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

What is intrapartum ultrasound (IPU) and how is it used in childbirth?

Intrapartum ultrasound (IPU) is a technology used during childbirth to provide a more accurate and objective assessment of labor progress. It involves using ultrasound to visualize the baby's position, descent, and other relevant factors in the birth canal. While ultrasound has been used in women's health since the 1980s, its application during labor is becoming more widespread as an alternative to traditional palpation methods.

What are the limitations of traditional palpation methods for assessing labor progress, and why is there a need for alternatives?

Traditional methods of assessing labor rely heavily on palpation, where clinicians use their hands to determine the baby's position, descent, and cervical dilation. This method is subjective and prone to error due to factors like the examiner's experience, the patient's anatomy, and swelling or molding of the baby's head. Studies have shown significant error rates in assessing fetal head position and descent, even among experienced practitioners. Intrapartum Ultrasound addresses these limitations.

What is a sonopartogram, and how does it utilize intrapartum ultrasound (IPU) to improve labor monitoring?

The sonopartogram is an innovative tool that integrates intrapartum ultrasound (IPU) measurements to create a visual record of labor progress. It replaces traditional palpation findings with objective ultrasound data, offering a more comprehensive and accurate view of the baby's journey through the birth canal. This can lead to better-informed decisions and improved outcomes for both mother and child. While it is more comprehensive, IPU isn't widespread due to its enduring legacy clinical examination.

What are the advantages of using intrapartum ultrasound (IPU) compared to traditional palpation methods during labor?

Intrapartum ultrasound (IPU) offers several advantages over palpation. It provides a more objective and accurate assessment of the baby's position and descent, reducing the error rates associated with palpation. By visualizing the baby's position and the pelvic structure, IPU can help prevent errors in decision-making during labor. This enhanced accuracy has the potential to improve safety and reduce the rate of Cesarean sections. Other advantages such as examiner experience, patient anatomy are also contributing factors.

What are the potential challenges to the widespread adoption of intrapartum ultrasound (IPU) in delivery rooms, and what future research is needed?

While the integration of intrapartum ultrasound (IPU) and tools like the sonopartogram represent significant advancements, challenges include the need for training and expertise in using the technology. Wider adoption of IPU requires overcoming the ingrained reliance on traditional palpation methods and demonstrating the cost-effectiveness and benefits of IPU in various clinical settings. Future research should focus on standardizing IPU techniques and developing clear guidelines for its integration into routine maternity care to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.