Arm or leg?

[Writerbird]

I've never been able to tell the body parts apart. I can tell when it's a little butt shoving its way out the top because it doesn't feel round, and therefore is not a head.

I am reasonably sure, at least the midwife is reasonably sure, that he is head down, and his back curves along my right side, with his butt shoving out under my right breast. Well, it doesn't always shove out. Not sure where it goes when it's not poking out. Sometimes he moves and his back gets more centered, but his default position is definitely to the right.

There is right now a limb of some variety sticking out. I can feel the outline of it, so I am certain this is not a butt or a head. But it is located in the exact center of the right side of the baby bump.

First I thought, this has to be a leg, because good gravy, it's STRONG. But when I visualize the way he's got to be curled up in order to fit, I don't see how it could be a leg!

So, my question! All of you who can actually tell body parts... HOW do you tell!?

[Lolafanana]

SUCH a great question. Sometimes I feel like a bad mommy when I can't tell what it is that is poking into my ribs. I am really interested in the replies!

[carmelnap]

I wish I knew, the only way I know that my LO's but is in my ribs is because my MW told me. She only just today helped me feel the outline of the head or else I have no clue. Sometimes I feel stupid because I am not abl to tell

[Mindi22]

The butt and head are supposed to be differentiated as follows:
- if you grab a hold of it and wiggle the butt, the whole body will move
- if you grab the head and wiggle it, only the head will move.

As far as other limbs go, sometimes it's a matter of finding butt and head and drawing conclusions. I've found it's harder to palpate on myself than on other people.