Which sign of pregnancy indicates fetal parts can be felt during examination?

The ability to feel fetal parts during an examination is referred to as ballotability. This sign is typically assessed during a physical examination when the healthcare provider uses their hands to palpate the abdomen, specifically the fundus, to determine the position and presence of the fetus. When a provider can easily push the fetal parts and then feel them return to their previous position, it indicates that the fetus is engaged and can be felt distinctly.

In contrast, Chadwick's sign involves the bluish discoloration of the cervix and vaginal walls due to increased blood flow, which is an early indication of pregnancy but does not involve the palpable assessment of fetal parts. Quickening refers to the first sensations of fetal movement felt by the mother, which is a subjective experience and does not involve an objective examination. Lightening describes the sensation that occurs when the fetal head descends into the pelvic cavity, which can help ease the mother’s breathing but again does not relate to the physical palpation of fetal parts.

Thus, ballotability is the precise term that captures the ability to palpate fetal parts during a physical exam, highlighting its importance in determining fetal position and well-being during prenatal assessments.