Definition
Ballottement is a medical technique used to detect a floating object within the body, typically in the abdomen during pregnancy. It involves pushing against the abdominal wall to feel for a rebound. Think of it like gently bouncing a basketball to see if it's inflated. This is used to identify a fetus within amniotic fluid. Unlike palpation, ballottement relies on a specific bouncing motion. It is a specialized technique used in limited contexts. It helps confirm pregnancy and assess fetal position. 🤰